Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
AGENDA

Wednesday, February 04, 2026 at 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Municipal Hall - Council Chambers & Electronically

This meeting which is open to the public, will be conducted in-person in Council Chambers and by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform, and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca. All representations to Council form part of the public record.

 

Members of the public may attend the Municipal Hall [7030 Trans-Canada Highway] in person, or join the meeting electronically to participate during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how to connect online or you may dial 1.844.426.4405, enter 1# for English, enter the meeting ID 2772 775 2766, and then enter the meeting password 1111.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

As soon as there is a quorum present after the time specified for the Council meeting, the Mayor shall call the meeting to order. If there is no quorum of Council present within 15 minutes of the scheduled time for the meeting, the Corporate Officer records the names of the members present and those absent, and adjourns the meeting until the next scheduled meeting.

2.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

To adopt all recommendations appearing on the Consent Agenda in one motion, without discussion or debate. Included are items that are regular, non-controversial, or routine in nature. Any item may be moved out at the request of any Council member for discussion or debate, before the agenda is approved. Items removed from the Consent Agenda will be placed under New Business, as per Council's Consent Agenda Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the Consent Agenda and the recommendations contained therein.

2.1

Items for Decision

All recommendations provided under each of the items listed below will be adopted once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business. 

2.1.1

Council Meeting Minutes for Adoption

Purpose: To consider if there were any errors or omissions prior to adopting the minutes of previous meetings of Council.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the minutes of their regular meeting and public and statutory hearing held January 21, 2026.

2.1.2

Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes from December 5, 2025

Purpose: To provide the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AgAC) minutes for receipt, along with associated recommendations for Council’s consideration.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Receives the draft minutes of the January 20, 2026 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting; and
  2. Directs staff to consider opportunities to strengthen the protection of agriculturally productive land and preservation of farmable parcels in a future zoning bylaw update.

2.2

Items for Information

All items listed below will be received for information purposes only once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business where Council may consider taking action. 

2.2.1

4th Quarter of 2025 List of Supplier Payments

Purpose: To provide a listing of payments to suppliers totalling over $10,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the 4^th Quarter of 2025 List of Supplier Payments report dated February 4, 2026, from the Director, Financial Services, for information.

2.2.2

Kenzie Knight, Tourism Cowichan re- the renewal of the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) program for the 2027–2032 term and to invite Council to the upcoming Stakeholder Workshops on February 19 and March 12, 2026

Purpose: To receive the January 26, 2026 email and invitation from Kenzie Knight, Tourism Cowichan, regarding the renewal of the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) program for the 2027–2032 term, and to inform Council of the upcoming Stakeholder Workshops on February 19 and March 12, 2026, for information.

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the January 26, 2026 email and invitation from Kenzie Knight, Tourism Cowichan, for information.

2.2.3

Dr. Melissa Wan, Medical Health Officer, Island Health re- Preventable Health Impacts following Lewis Street Displacement

Purpose: To receive the January 20, 2026 letter from Dr. Melissa Wan, Medical Health Officer, Island Health regarding preventable health impacts following Lewis Street displacement, for information.

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the January 20, 2026 letter from Dr. Melissa Wan, Medical Health Officer, Island Health, for information.

2.2.4

Dianne Hinton, Coordinator, Coalition to End Homelessness and others re- the Need for Sanctioned Locations for Homeless People within North Cowichan

Purpose: To receive the January 21, 2026 letter from Dianne Hinton, Coordinator (Coalition to End Homelessness), Alistair MacGregor, CAO (Cowichan Tribes), Sarah Sadler, Coordinated Access Data Coordinator (Cowichan Housing Association), Marnie Elliott, Health Director (Cowichan Tribes), Erin Kapela (Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan) and Naomi Woodland (United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island) regarding the need for sanctioned locations for homeless people within North Cowichan, for information.

• Recommendation:

  That Council receive the January 21, 2026 letter from Dianne Hinton, Coordinator (Coalition to End Homelessness), Alistair MacGregor, CAO (Cowichan Tribes), Sarah Sadler, Coordinated Access Data Coordinator (Cowichan Housing Association), Marnie Elliott, Health Director (Cowichan Tribes), Erin Kapela (Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan) and Naomi Woodland (United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island), for information.

3.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

3.1

Introduction of Late Items

To consider a late item of business not included in the agenda it must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted, and placed under New Business.

3.2

Changes to Order of Business

Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed on the agenda unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the agenda be adopted as circulated [or as amended].

4.

MAYOR'S REPORT

The Mayor may provide an update to Council on recent activities and important announcements. 

5.

PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five (5), and each speaker is allotted up to a maximum of three (3) minutes to provide their input. Members of the public must register at least 10 minutes and not more than 30 minutes before the meeting using the webform available on North Cowichan’s website. Please visit Addressing Council to access the webform and for instructions on how to participate. Speakers are asked to state their name and residential address when commencing their address to Council, as per Council’s Public Input and Meeting Conduct Policy.

6.

PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS

6.1

Delegations

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, delegations must submit their request at least seven (7) business days before the meeting they wish to appear before Council to make a presentation, request for action, provide an update on projects, or discuss issues not currently under consideration through an active input process.  Items must be of municipal interest or concern, and delegations are limited to 10 minutes to address Council.

6.1.1

Calum Matthews from Tourism Cowichan re- Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) 5-Year Renewal (2027-2032)

Purpose: Calum Matthews from Tourism Cowichan to provide an overview of the renewal process and engagement plan for the MRDT renewal.

7.

UNFINISHED AND POSTPONED BUSINESS

This section includes matters that have been postponed to a certain time or referred to staff, a committee or some other organization or person, and shall be placed under this section when the matter is returned to Council for consideration.

7.1

Special Task Force

[Item deferred from the January 21, 2026 regular Council meeting]

Purpose: For Councillor Manhas to move the motion that was introduced at the December 17, 2025 Regular Council meeting:

“Whereas the Corporation of the District of North Cowichan has recently been informed of the permanent closure of the Crofton Pulp & Paper Mill and;

Whereas the Chemainus Sawmill operation has not been operating for several months; and;

Whereas this will result in 500 direct jobs being lost either temporarily and\or permanently; and;

Whereas this will substantially reduce tax revenues paid to the District of North Cowichan; and;

Whereas this will have a compounding negative impact on other support industries specifically, and the entire local economy generally;

Now then, the Council of North Cowichan, hereby appoints a Special Task Force to undertake an urgent investigation into the reasons for the closure of the Crofton pulp &paper mill and the curtailment of the Chemainus sawmill including;

• the availability of fibre supply
• the cost of fibre
• the timeline for timber permit approvals
• the transportation costs of moving fibre
• the market price of pulp and lumber
• the employee impact of lost jobs
• the short & long term effect on the Cowichan Valley economy

And the Council confers upon the Special Task Force the responsibility to meet with officials of both Domtar and Western Forest Products companies, employee groups and their unions, the Ministry of Forests, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, the Chemainus Chamber of Commerce, and whatever agencies that may provide pertinent information with respect to the curtailment of mill operations.

The Special Task Force shall provide a report to Council by the end of January 2026.

And Further Council will provide the necessary staff and resources to the Special Task Force.”

7.2

Economic Development Committee Minutes from Dec. 5, 2025 (and Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy)

[Item deferred from the January 21, 2026 regular Council meeting]

Purpose: To provide the Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting minutes for receipt and to seek adoption of the Interim Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Receives the minutes of the December 5, 2025, Economic Development Committee meeting.
  2. Adopts the Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy as attached to the January 21, 2026, report to Council.

7.3

Terms of Reference for North Cowichan Mill Closure Response Working Group

[Item deferred from the January 21, 2026 regular Council meeting]

Purpose: To inform Council that, at the January 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Douglas announced his intention—under section 141 of the Community Charter—to establish a North Cowichan Crofton Mill Closure Working Group (Standing Committee). The Working Group will provide advice and recommendations to the Mayor and Council regarding the permanent closure of the Crofton Mill, the temporary closure of the Chemainus Sawmill, and other disruptions affecting the local forest industry. The proposed Terms of Reference for the Working Group are attached for Council’s information.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives the Terms of Reference for North Cowichan’s Mill Closure Response Working Group for information.

8.

BYLAWS

Bylaws appearing under this section will be listed in order of readings as follows: (a) bylaws for adoption shall appear first, followed by (b) bylaws receiving third reading, then (c) bylaws receiving first and second or first three readings.

8.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4037, 2025 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4037, 2025, which received first and second reading on December 17, 2025, and was considered at a Public Hearing and was given third reading on January 21, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will permit a non-soil based cannabis production facility at 3925 Cowichan Lake Road.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4037, 2025.

8.2

Records Management Amendment Bylaw No. 4054, 2026 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adopting Records Management Amendment Bylaw No. 4054, 2026, which received first, second and third readings on January 21, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will enact housekeeping amendments.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Records Management Amendment Bylaw No. 4054, 2026.

8.3

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Bylaw No. 4055, 2026 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adopting Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bylaw No. 4055, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will designate a Head and Fees for Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy purposes.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bylaw No. 4055, 2026.

8.4

Fire Protection Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4043, 2026 for introduction

Purpose: To introduce Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4043, 2026, which proposes to amend Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2011, to update definitions and legislative references to align with the Fire Safety Act.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second and third readings to Fire Protection Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4043, 2026.

8.5

Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4056 for introduction

Purpose: To introduce Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4056, 2026, which proposes to amend Traffic Bylaw No. 2276, 1988, to update definitions, facilitate enhanced Bylaw enforcement of parking related contraventions and restrict overnight parking.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second, and third readings to Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4056, 2026.

8.6

Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 4058, 2026 for introduction

Purpose: To introduce Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 4058, which proposes to amend Business Licence Bylaw No. 3153, 2002 to allow conditions to be attached to the issuance of a Business Licence.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. gives first, second and third reading to Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 4058, 2026; and
  2. directs staff to provide notice of Council’s intent to consider Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 4058, 2026, by posting notice to the website, notice board and social media by February 9, 2026.

9.

NEW BUSINESS

This section includes external items that require a decision of Council, items that have been removed from the Consent Agenda, and motions submitted by Council members, where previous notice has been given, for Council consideration.

9.1

Fibreglass Pollution in the Cowichan Estuary

Purpose: For Councillor Justice to move the motion that was introduced at the January 21, 2026 Regular Council meeting:

“WHEREAS the Cowichan Estuary is of significant ecological, cultural, and economic importance to the community;

AND WHEREAS a 2025 study has identified a significant presence of fibreglass particles in the sediments and biofilm of the Cowichan River estuary, raising concerns about impacts on wildlife, ecosystem health, and the risk of entering the food chain;

AND WHEREAS the study recommends improved regulation, monitoring, enforcement, and better management of fibreglass waste, including end-of-life boats, and prioritizing further research on fiber glass entering the food chain and how this affects human health;

AND WHEREAS North Cowichan's Official Community Plan supports collaborative, long-term protection and restoration of the Cowichan Estuary, working with industry and advocacy groups to support sustainable economic activity and advocating for practices that protect sensitive habitats and intertidal resources.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct the Mayor to write to our MP and MLA and the appropriate regulatory authorities - including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Transport Canada, and any other appropriate regulatory body - to both raise awareness of and request action to address fibreglass pollution in the Cowichan Estuary, including actions to:

• • investigate sources of contamination and enforce regulations;
  • strengthen monitoring and regulatory oversight;
  • support remediation, monitoring and community-led restoration efforts, and;
  • promote and support research on glass fibers entering the food chain”

10.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

This section includes notices of motions submitted by Members of Council for introduction only, discussion and debate of the motion shall occur at a future meeting. Introductory remarks or clarifying questions are not permitted at this time as per Council’s Notice of Motion Policy.

11.

QUESTION PERIOD

Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to ask questions of Council regarding matters discussed at the meeting and shall be allotted up to 30 seconds each to ask their question. Question Period is limited to 15 minutes.

12.

ADJOURNMENT

Once all the business is done and over with, the Mayor may declare the meeting adjourned without requiring a resolution of Council.