North Cowichan, BC

Mill Closure Response Working Group

This meeting appears to have only procedural boilerplate with no specific decisions or discussions listed.

Accessibility Advisory Committee

This meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee has no substantive items listed. The agenda appears to be only procedural boilerplate.

Council - Regular

This meeting agenda includes only standard procedural elements with no substantive business items, decisions, or discussions listed.

Committee of the Whole

The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific discussion items, decisions, or public hearings. The meeting appears to be entirely administrative without any substantive business.

Board of Variance

This agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific items for discussion or decision.

Economic Development Committee

The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface text. There are no specific discussion items, decisions, or reports listed for this meeting.

Environmental Advisory Committee

The provided text contains only administrative metadata and software interface elements. There are no specific topics, discussions, or decisions listed for this meeting.

Inaugural Meeting

The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface text. No specific business items, decisions, or discussion topics are listed.

Committee of the Whole

The provided agenda contains only procedural software placeholders and boilerplate text. There are no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items listed for this meeting.

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The North Cowichan Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting on 2026-11-17 has no listed agenda items. The agenda appears to contain only placeholders and no decisions or discussions are specified. As a result, no items are being decided or discussed at this meeting.

Council - Regular

The provided agenda contains only procedural software boilerplate and no listed business items. There are no decisions or discussions scheduled in this document.

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The agenda for the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting on November 24, 2026 contains no listed items. No decisions, discussions, or proposals are documented in the provided agenda. The meeting appears to be a placeholder without substantive content.

Board of Variance

The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface text. There are no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items listed for this meeting.

Council - Regular

The agenda is procedural and does not list specific decisions or items for discussion.

Committee of the Whole

The agenda for the Committee of the Whole on 2026-12-08 contains no listed items; it appears to be a procedural placeholder with no decisions or discussions recorded.

Economic Development Committee

The North Cowichan Economic Development Committee meeting scheduled for 2026-12-11 contains no specific agenda items. The agenda text includes only placeholders and no listed discussions, decisions, or proposals. Consequently, there are no concrete items to be decided or discussed at this meeting.

Council - Regular

The council meeting agenda contains no listed items. No decisions or discussions are detailed in the agenda. The meeting appears to be procedural in nature.

Council - Regular

The agenda for this regular council meeting contains only procedural boilerplate from the eSCRIBE software. No specific decisions, discussions, or public hearings are listed.

Sports Wall of Fame Committee

This agenda contains only boilerplate procedural elements with no specific items for discussion or decision. The meeting appears to be administrative in nature.

Committee of the Whole

This meeting agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no concrete items listed for discussion or decision.

Council - Special

This is a special council meeting with a single substantive item: a resolution to close the meeting to the public under Community Charter sections 90(1)(g) (litigation) and 90(1)(k) (preliminary negotiations for a municipal service that could harm the municipality if public). The agenda is otherwise procedural, with no public decisions or discussions listed.

• Resolution to close meeting under 90(1)(g) litigation
• Resolution to close meeting under 90(1)(k) negotiations re municipal service
• In-camera agenda approval
• In-camera items: litigation and land + harm
• Rise and report

Board of Variance

This agenda for the North Cowichan Board of Variance meeting on 2026-07-30 contains no substantive items. The text consists only of eSCRIBE software interface elements and no decisions or discussions.

Council - Special

North Cowichan Council is meeting to discuss a funding request from the Duncan Cowichan Festival Society. The body will consider reallocating a previously approved grant for a canceled parade to a different festival. The meeting also includes a closed session regarding labour relations.

• Proposed reallocation of $2,000 Grant-in-Aid from the canceled Duncan Days Parade to the 39 Days of July Festival
• In-camera meeting item regarding labour relations under section 90(1)(c) of the Community Charter

Agricultural Advisory Committee

This meeting agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific discussion items or decisions. The committee is not addressing any concrete proposals at this time.

Mill Closure Response Working Group

This meeting agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific items for discussion or decision. The group is meeting but has no listed resolutions, reports, or public hearings.

The Mill Closure Response Working Group received updates from the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and the Northern Development Initiative Trust. The Trust presented a new Workforce Tariff Response Forestry Grant Program covering up to 85% of eligible wage and training costs, with a maximum of $50,000 per employee and $1 million per organization. No formal decisions were made beyond approving the agenda and adopting the previous minutes.

• Approved agenda as circulated
• Adopted minutes of May 22, 2026 meeting

Public and Statutory Hearing

This agenda contains only procedural boilerplate. The meeting is a Public and Statutory Hearing scheduled for July 15, 2026, but the provided text lists no specific decisions, proposals, or discussions.

• No substantive agenda items are provided in the document.

Council - Regular

This agenda consists solely of procedural items with no substantive discussions or decisions.

Council - Joint Special with Halalt First Nation

This is a joint special council meeting between the Municipality of North Cowichan and Halalt First Nation. The council is expected to vote to close the meeting to the public to discuss matters protected under the Community Charter, including information that would be harmful to interests of an Indigenous people and confidential negotiations between the municipality and a First Nation. No public decisions or discussions are scheduled.

• Resolution to close the meeting under sections 90(1)(i.1) and 90(2)(b)(iii) of the Community Charter
• In-camera discussion of First Nations negotiations and confidential information

The joint special council meeting with Halalt First Nation was closed to the public under sections 90(1)(i.1) and 90(2)(b)(iii) of the Community Charter. The only reported outcome was a motion to rise and report that the meeting discussed areas of mutual interest. No substantive decisions were made public.

• Closed meeting to the public under Community Charter sections 90(1)(i.1) and 90(2)(b)(iii) (carried)
• Approved in-camera meeting agenda (carried)
• Rose and reported that council met with Halalt First Nation to discuss areas of mutual interest (carried)

Committee of the Whole

This Committee of the Whole meeting agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific agenda items for discussion or decision.

Council - Special

The council will hold a closed session for negotiations with the provincial government and First Nations, as well as legal advice. In open session, they will consider adopting a bylaw to extend the Chemainus sewer system to include 9580 Bare Point Road. They will also receive the 2026 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results and an update on the Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan implementation.

• Adopt Chemainus Sewer System Local Area Service Enlargement Bylaw No. 4080 to add 9580 Bare Point Road
• Closed session for provincial negotiations (s. 90(2)(b)(i)) and legal/First Nations matters (s. 90(1)(i) & 90(2)(b)(ii))
• Receive 2026 Citizen Satisfaction Survey findings
• Update on Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan implementation with servicing constraints

Council adopted Chemainus Sewer System Local Area Service Enlargement Bylaw No. 4080, 2026. Council also received the 2026 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results and a Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan implementation update for information. The meeting included a closed session for legal and negotiation matters, with a report that Council met with Minister Brittny Anderson regarding the Domtar Crofton mill, economic diversity, and infrastructure needs.

• Adopted Chemainus Sewer System Local Area Service Enlargement Bylaw No. 4080, 2026 (carried)
• Received 2026 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results for information (carried)
• Received Bell McKinnon Local Area Plan Implementation project update for information (carried)
• Closed meeting to the public under Community Charter sections 90(1)(i), 90(2)(b)(ii), and 90(2)(b)(i) (carried)
• Rose with report on closed session items: met with Minister Brittny Anderson regarding Domtar Crofton mill, economic diversity, and infrastructure needs (carried)

Mill Closure Response Working Group

This meeting of the Mill Closure Response Working Group appears to be procedural only, as the agenda contains no substantive items. No decisions or discussions are listed.

Environmental Advisory Committee

The Environmental Advisory Committee will receive verbal updates on four topics: the Environmental Services Department's structure, the Biodiversity Policy Report presented to Council, the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and fees adopted by Council, and the revised Climate Action and Energy Plan Terms of Reference. No decisions or votes are scheduled; all items are for information only.

• Update on Biodiversity Policy Report presented to Council on April 1, 2026
• Update on Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and usage fees adopted by Council on May 20, 2026
• Update on revised Climate Action and Energy Plan Terms of Reference adopted by Council on April 1, 2026
• Verbal update on Environmental Services Department organizational structure

The Environmental Advisory Committee received informational updates on the Environmental Services Department, Biodiversity Policy Report, Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, and Climate Action and Energy Plan Terms of Reference. It also directed a member to prepare a report reviewing biodiversity policies from other BC municipalities. No substantive decisions were made; all items were received for information only.

• Adopted agenda as amended (carried)
• Adopted minutes of February 26, 2026 (carried)
• Received Environmental Services Department update for information (unanimous)
• Received Biodiversity Policy Report update and tasked a member to review other BC municipalities' biodiversity policies (carried)
• Received Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy update for information (carried)
• Received Climate Action and Energy Plan Terms of Reference update for information (carried)

Council - Regular

Council will approve a funding strategy for the Joint Utilities Board Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation Project, aiming to retain $6 million in UBCM grants while pursuing additional provincial and federal funds. The body will also adopt an updated liquor licensing policy and review informational updates on municipal parking, climate grants, and community noise concerns. Most agenda items are routine minutes approvals and informational briefings.

• Approve $6,000,000 UBCM funding retention for the JUB STP Outfall Relocation Project
• Adopt amended Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch Applications Policy
• Review Joint Utilities Board draft minutes and Sewage Treatment Plant funding status
• Receive information on Duncan Street parking management and Andy Hutchins Park pickleball noise mitigation
• Note: Closed session covers labour relations and land acquisition discussions

Council gave first and second reading to OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 4072 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4077 for 3037 & 3047 Westhill Place, scheduling a public hearing, after a motion to deny the applications was defeated. Council also adopted several other bylaws, including the Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 4076, and approved the 2025 Annual Report and Statement of Financial Information.

• Approved first and second reading of OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 4072 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4077 for 3037 & 3047 Westhill Place (4-3)
• Adopted Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 4076 (4-3)
• Authorized Development Variance Permit DVP00138 reducing watercourse setback from 15.0m to 7.6m at Lot 1 Khenipsen Road
• Gave first, second, and third reading to Chemainus Sewer System Local Area Service Enlargement Bylaw No. 4080
• Gave first, second, and third reading to Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4079
• Accepted the 2025 Annual Report
• Approved 2025 Statement of Financial Information
• Defeated motion to issue Statement of Concurrence for 36-metre telecommunications antenna on 3186 Gibbins Road (1-6)

Sports Wall of Fame Committee

The Sports Wall of Fame Committee will consider a proposal for heritage (pioneer) inductions for 2027 and receive updates on venue options for the 2027 induction ceremony. The committee will also recommend that staff evaluate the Cowichan Golf Club and Khowutzun Heritage Centre before selecting a venue.

• Heritage inductions proposal from Don Bodger and Jim Nugent for 2027
• Venue options report for 2027 induction ceremony: Cowichan Golf Club and Khowutzun Heritage Centre
• Recommendation to direct staff to continue evaluating venues and report back with booking details

The Committee voted to recommend that Council update the Terms of Reference to create a Heritage induction category for builders, officials, and coaches prior to 1990. Nominations may be submitted directly by committee members without a formal application. The Committee also recommended continuing to explore two venues for the 2027 induction ceremony.

• Recommended adding Heritage induction category for pre-1990 builders/officials/coaches (carried)
• Recommended that Heritage nominations can be submitted directly by committee members (carried)
• Recommended that Heritage selection follow existing voting methodology (carried)
• Recommended staff continue considering Cowichan Golf Club and Khowutzun Heritage Centre for 2027 ceremony, report back (carried)
• Closed meeting to discuss personal information for awards (carried)

Economic Development Committee

This meeting agenda is procedural boilerplate with no specific items for discussion or decision.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will consider updates to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch Applications Policy and review the Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw. Members will also receive a report on the strategic adoption of artificial intelligence and discuss a grant application for soccer mini-pitches.

• Proposed updates to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch Applications Policy
• Review of the Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw
• Staff report on Artificial Intelligence risks and roadmap
• Discussion on UBCM application for soccer mini-pitches

Joint Utilities Board

The Joint Utilities Board will discuss the Sewer Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation Project, including a request from the Union of BC Municipalities to re-scope the project. The board will decide whether to direct staff to reject re-scoping to retain $6 million in UBCM funding, continue seeking federal funding, and draft a letter to provincial and federal governments for additional support.

• Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2026 (alternating between North Cowichan and Duncan)
• Discussion on UBCM funding risk for the JUB Sewer Treatment Plant Outfall Project
• Direction to not re-scope the project to retain $6 million in UBCM funding
• Pursuit of New Building Canada Fund and Build Communities Strong Fund for construction
• Drafting a joint letter to Province of BC and Canada requesting support for project funding

The board passed a motion recommending that North Cowichan and Duncan councils direct staff not to re-scope the Joint Utilities Board Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation Project, thereby retaining $6 million in UBCM funding. Staff will continue pursuing other federal funding and will draft a letter requesting additional support from provincial and federal governments. If alternative funding is not secured, staff will return to the board for direction.

• Appointed Mayor Rob Douglas as Chair for 2026 (carried)
• Appointed Councillor Garry Bruce as Vice Chair for 2026 (carried)
• Approved agenda as circulated (carried)
• Adopted minutes of January 16, 2025 (carried)
• Recommended to councils to retain $6M UBCM funding by not re-scoping sewer outfall project (carried)

Board of Variance

The provided agenda text contains only procedural software boilerplate and no specific business items. There are no decisions or discussions listed for this meeting.

Mill Closure Response Working Group

The Mill Closure Response Working Group will discuss ongoing support for workers affected by the Crofton mill closure and Chemainus sawmill curtailment. They will review the Mill Impacted Business Supports Program report from Community Futures Cowichan and assess next steps for advocacy and gap-filling.

• Roundtable updates on mill closure developments
• Review of worker and business supports, identifying gaps
• Discussion of advocacy efforts and additional actions
• Presentation of Mill Impacted Business Supports Report from Community Futures Cowichan

The working group received updates on mill closure impacts, including ongoing EI benefit denials for Chemainus Sawmill workers and raw log export concerns. No substantive decisions were made; the meeting focused on roundtable updates and action items for follow-up.

• Adopted agenda as circulated
• Adopted minutes of April 17, 2026

Council - Special

This special council meeting is primarily procedural, with the main action being a resolution to close the meeting to the public. The closed session will discuss labour relations (Section 90(1)(c)) and land acquisition/disposition (Section 90(1)(e)). No public decisions or open agenda items are scheduled.

• Closed session under 90(1)(e): land acquisition or disposition that could harm municipal interests
• Closed session under 90(1)(c): labour or employee relations

The council voted unanimously to close the special meeting to the public under sections 90(1)(c) (labour relations) and 90(1)(e) (land acquisition) of the Community Charter. After the in-camera session, council rose without reporting any decisions. No substantive public actions were taken.

• Closed meeting to the public (carried unanimously)
• Rose from in-camera without report (carried unanimously)

Public and Statutory Hearing

Council holds a public hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030 regarding 2-6380 Lakes Road, followed by consideration of third reading and adoption of the bylaw. The meeting includes explanation of process, public comments, and staff responses. The agenda is primarily focused on this single land-use item.

• Public hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030 (2-6380 Lakes Road)
• Third reading and possible adoption of the bylaw after the hearing
• Meeting held in person and via Webex; public can participate
• Written submissions accepted up to May 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Council gave third reading and adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030, rezoning 2-6380 Lakes Road to allow a wedding and event venue. The decision followed a public hearing with 17 written submissions and oral comments from 16 speakers. The bylaw passed 5-2, with Mayor Douglas and Councillor Justice opposed.

• Gave third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030 (5-2, opposed: Douglas, Justice)
• Adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4030 (5-2, opposed: Douglas, Justice)

Council - Regular

Council will vote on adopting several zoning amendment bylaws for new housing, including a 15-unit apartment at 9634 Chemainus Road and a 20-unit townhouse at 5850 Highland Avenue. They will also introduce a bylaw for a second dwelling at 5004 Oceanview Terrace and consider a bylaw to set pickleball hours at Andy Hutchins Park. Other items include adopting fee reductions for credit cards and establishing a reserve fund for short-term infrastructure.

• Adopt Zoning Bylaw 4045 for 15-unit apartment at 9634 Chemainus Road
• Adopt Zoning Bylaw 4050 for 20-unit townhouse at 5850 Highland Avenue
• Introduce Zoning Bylaw 4061 for second dwelling at 5004 Oceanview Terrace
• Adopt Fees Bylaw 4073 reducing credit card administration fees
• Introduce Parks Bylaw 4076 to set pickleball play hours at Andy Hutchins Park

Council narrowly defeated a motion reaffirming commitment to farming, agricultural land protection, and rural character, and opposing actions that undermine these goals. Several zoning bylaws were adopted, including changes to parks regulation extending pickleball hours to 8 pm. Council also approved EV charging fees of $2/hour and endorsed an EV charging strategy. A $754,581 janitorial contract and a $2,000 festival grant were awarded.

• Defeated motion to reaffirm rural character and food security goals (4 opposed)
• Approved EV charging user fee of $2/hour (5-2)
• Endorsed Electric Vehicle Community Charging Strategy (5-2)
• Awarded 3-year janitorial contract to Alice's Clean Sweep for $754,581
• Approved $2,000 grant to Duncan-Cowichan Festival Society (4-3)
• Adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaws No. 4041, 4045, 4050
• Amended pickleball hours at Andy Hutchins Park to 9 am–8 pm (6-1)
• Defeated motion to streamline bylaws and policies (5 opposed)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss a progress update on the municipality's response to mooring buoys and derelict vessels in Maple Bay. They may recommend directing staff to complete a vessel inventory and risk assessment with Transport Canada and return with cost estimates and funding sources for the 2027 budget. Additionally, the committee will review the advisory body structure and may postpone the review until after the 2026 local election.

• Staff report on Maple Bay mooring buoys and derelict vessels – progress update and recommendation to complete inventory and risk assessment
• Advisory body structure review – recommendation to postpone until after 2026 General Local Election and amend policy

The Committee of the Whole recommended that Council direct staff to finish a vessel inventory and risk assessment with Transport Canada, and return with a report on priority vessels, legal pathways, costs, and funding for the 2027 budget. It also recommended postponing an advisory body structure review until after the 2026 local election and amending the Council Advisory Body Policy.

• Recommended directing staff to complete vessel inventory/risk assessment for 2027 budget (unanimous)
• Recommended postponing advisory body review until after 2026 election (unanimous)
• Recommended amending Council Advisory Body Policy (unanimous)

Council - Joint Special with City of Duncan

The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface text. There are no specific discussion items or decisions listed for this joint session.

Council - Regular

North Cowichan Council will adopt the 2025 audited financial statements for the municipality and Joint Utilities Board. The agenda features public delegations regarding an indoor sports facility and a request to reconsider the Kingsview phased development agreement. A statutory hearing will determine whether to approve a variance permit at 4065 Sahtlam Road. Council also reviews routine reports, including Q1 supplier payments over $10,000 and regional recreation planning.

• Statutory hearing for Development Variance Permit DVP00109 at 4065 Sahtlam Road
• Adoption of the 2025 Audited Financial Statements for North Cowichan and Joint Utilities Board
• Public delegation requesting reconsideration of Kingsview Phased Development Agreement
• Presentation on the CVRD Recreational Needs Assessment by RC Strategies
• Review of Q1 2026 supplier payments exceeding $10,000

Council approved a development variance permit for a dog kennel at 4065 Sahtlam Road, after an amendment to exclude two outdoor pens was defeated 4-3. Another variance permit for a commercial building addition at 3070 Henry Road was also approved. Council adopted the 2025 audited financial statements and referred a proposed indoor sports facility to the regional district.

• Approved DVP for kennel at 4065 Sahtlam Road (4-3, Douglas, Istace, Justice opposed)
• Amendment to exclude outdoor pens 7 and 8 defeated (4-3, Manhas, Caljouw, Findlay, Hogg opposed)
• Approved DVP for commercial building at 3070 Henry Road (unanimous)
• Adopted 2025 audited financial statements (carried)
• Referred proposed indoor sports facility to CVRD (carried)
• Appointed Councillor Findlay to Cowichan Green Community board (carried)

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Accessibility Advisory Committee will discuss noise bylaws and accessibility barriers from densification, receive updates on accessibility enhancements in parks and recreation, and consider sharing North Cowichan's accessibility wins with Disability Alliance BC.

• Review of public correspondence on accessibility concerns
• Discussion of noise bylaws and accessibility barriers from cumulative densification
• Verbal update on accessibility enhancements in municipal parks and recreational facilities
• Recommendation to highlight North Cowichan's accessibility wins for Disability Alliance BC

The Accessibility Advisory Committee voted to recommend that Council direct staff to highlight North Cowichan's accessibility wins on the Disability Alliance BC website, including six specific parks and facilities. The Committee also received updates on public correspondence, noise bylaw concerns from densification, and ongoing accessibility enhancements in municipal parks.

• Recommended highlighting accessibility wins on Disability Alliance BC website, including Kinsmen Beach Park, Art Mann Park, Fuller Lake Arena, adaptive trails, Westview Learning Centre, and Sherman Road Park (carried)

Environmental Advisory Committee

This meeting agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no listed items for discussion or decision.