Council met for just over four hours during our Regular Council meeting on March 4, 2026.
During my Mayor’s Report, I shared the following updates:
- Staff and I met at the BC Legislature with the Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, to discuss the significant challenges North Cowichan is facing with mill closures, job losses, and constraints related to our infrastructure and water licences. We asked for provincial support to make the infrastructure investments needed to enable residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial development in the municipality, and were encouraged by the minister’s response.
- I was proud to welcome the team from the Wounded Warriors Run BC to North Cowichan at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 191, alongside branch president David Nielsen, North Cowichan Councillor Mike Caljouw, Jeff Kibble, and the Chemainus Firefighters Association. The eight-day run from Port Hardy to Victoria raises awareness and funds for mental health programs supporting veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders.
- Along with nearly 300 walkers and 70 volunteers, I participated in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in Cowichan Valley to support local charities serving those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Thanks to the generosity of donors, more than $78,000 was raised to support local initiatives helping youth experiencing homelessness.
- North Cowichan’s Mill Closure Response Working Group, which includes Jeff Kibble and Cowichan Valley MLA Debra Toporowski, met at municipal hall and agreed on actions to support workers affected by the closures of the Crofton pulp mill and Chemainus sawmill. The MP’s office is now working with union leadership on a petition calling on the federal government to expand supports for impacted workers, including extending Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and offering a bridging-to-retirement program.
- The United Steelworkers, Western Forest Products and I co-wrote a letter to the federal Minister of Jobs and Families requesting urgent action to address challenges Chemainus sawmill workers are facing with Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. Many workers are set to lose their benefits in March despite previous commitments by the federal government to extend supports for forestry workers.
- I also shared that local resident and veteran Pete Shepherd - who previously served in the military and in policing and founded the youth-focused initiative Salish Sea Stones - is volunteering to take part in an aid mission to Ukraine this spring. He will be driving an ambulance delivering medical aid to a children’s hospital south of Kyiv. While Pete is covering his own travel costs, he is seeking donations for medical supplies through www.ukrainefocus.org
Early consideration of an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment that would allow a 21-lot bare land strata at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road was brought back for reconsideration following its approval at the January 21 Council meeting.
- Sulsimutstun Chief James Thomas of Halalt First Nation spoke to Council about his concerns regarding the OCP amendment that would facilitate a subdivision on Hidden Hills Road. Chief Thomas discussed issues related to water scarcity in the area, rainwater runoff, stream protection, and firefighting challenges, and the risk all these posed to the Halalt First Nation.
- Council also heard from Jordan Noble, who spoke on behalf of the applicants and in support of the early consideration of the OCP amendment for 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road.
- Council then dealt with the reconsideration of early consideration of the OCP amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road and upheld their original approval.
Fire Chief Ron French presented the North Cowichan Fire Department 2025 annual report. Highlights from the year include the completion of the Crofton Fire Station, a successful recruitment campaign for new paid on-call firefighters, the purchase of a used ladder apparatus for Chemainus, the department’s response to a wildfire near the Cowichan River, and assisting with the Mount Underwood wildfire near Port Alberni.
Amanda Vance, Executive Director and Alejandra Lara-Espinosa, LIP Coordinator and SAH Coordinator from Cowichan Intercultural Society provided an overview of the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) program and requested members of Council participate in the organization’s LIP main council role.
A development variance permit was approved for 9909 Willow Street for an accessory dwelling unit that was constructed in contravention of front and side yard setbacks.
A zoning amendment bylaw that reclassifies a portion of 1673 Grant Road from R1 to R2 was adopted.
The Fees and Charges amendment bylaw that updates building fees to improve cost recovery and support service delivery, was adopted.
First three readings were given to four bylaws:
- A zoning amendment bylaw which proposes to permit a detached second dwelling on the 23 properties affected by the repeal of the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw in July 2025.
- The Municipal Fine amendment bylaw, that will update fines related to the animal control and traffic bylaws.
- The Five-Year Financial Plan, which sets out North Cowichan’s objectives and policies for the period from 2026 – 2030.
- The Election and Assent Voting amendment bylaw includes updates that are primarily housekeeping in nature to update North Cowichan’s election provisions to align with recent amendments to the Local Government Act, including changes related to mail ballot voting and the public’s online access to nomination and endorsement documents. The bylaw also proposes increasing the minimum number of nominators required to nominate a Council or Mayoral candidate from two to 10. A Cost Sharing Agreement with School District 79 was approved.
Council endorsed a report on a Development Services Function Review that was conducted by Neilson Strategies Inc. The review was undertaken to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and responsiveness across all stages of a development application, from early enquiry through intake, technical review, approvals, and post-approval processes. A multi-year three-phase implementation schedule is planned and will include organizational realignments, technology and workflow modernization, and comprehensive system updates.
Council directed staff to continue working with proponents on the development of a Foundry integrated youth services model and identify potential locations or existing sites that could host the program. Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for young people ages 12 to 24 and their families.
Council endorsed a report on overnight sheltering sites for people experiencing homelessness in North Cowichan. As a result of court rulings, local governments are required to identify suitable overnight places to shelter when there is insufficient housing or shelter options in the area. Three sites – 4015 Hiddenluck Street, York Road north of the dyke, and Beverly Street (on the verge) – have been used by approximately 20 people following the decampment on the road and sidewalk along Lewis Street last fall. Funding through BC Housing’s Encampment Response Team has supported the provision of portable toilets and hygiene stations and have also been supported by North Cowichan’s bylaw compliance and clean streets teams.
Council directed staff to prepare a report on traffic and speeding mitigation options for York Avenue adjacent to Crofton Elementary School.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 5pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250-746-3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca