municipal politics

Question period was lively in Youbou Hall in a meeting last year after a geotechnical report produced by Ebbwater Consulting was presented on the increased potential for landslides in the area due to climate change. (File photo)

CVRD releases updated landslide hazard mapping for the Youbou area

Information to be used to inform planning and development in the area

Question period was lively in Youbou Hall in a meeting last year after a geotechnical report produced by Ebbwater Consulting was presented on the increased potential for landslides in the area due to climate change. (File photo)
The CVRD’s finance manager Natalie Wehner delivered a report to the board outlining the status of 81 capital projects in the district, and detailed which ones may face delays due to COVID-19 and other snags. (File photo)

CVRD may have to delay 11 capital projects scheduled for 2020

More than 50 of the 81 projects are complete or are schedule for the year

The CVRD’s finance manager Natalie Wehner delivered a report to the board outlining the status of 81 capital projects in the district, and detailed which ones may face delays due to COVID-19 and other snags. (File photo)
An aerial view of Cortes Island’s Seniors Village. ( Photo/Bill Weaver)

Cortes Island affordable housing project hangs by a thread

Regional decision makers resort to COVID-19 concerns despite virtual meeting option and push hearing to September

An aerial view of Cortes Island’s Seniors Village. ( Photo/Bill Weaver)
Lake Cowichan’s Acting Mayor Tim McGonigle said capital projects that have been postponed in the community in 2020 will be completed in future years. (File photo)

Centennial Hall upgrade, parking lot paving among postponed capital projects in Lake Cowichan

Council lowers tax increase for the year due to COVID-19 crisis

Lake Cowichan’s Acting Mayor Tim McGonigle said capital projects that have been postponed in the community in 2020 will be completed in future years. (File photo)
Tim McGonigle, the acting mayor of Lake Cowichan, said rumours that the town has issued new water advisories are not true. (File photo)

Water in Lake Cowichan just fine, says acting mayor

Tim McGonigle said there is no truth to rumours of water advisories

Tim McGonigle, the acting mayor of Lake Cowichan, said rumours that the town has issued new water advisories are not true. (File photo)
Tim McGonigle, director for the Town of Lake Cowichan on the board of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, wants to see an independent review of remuneration for district directors. (File photo)

CVRD’s board postpones pay raise discussion until 2021

Decision made due to financial uncertainty around COVID-19 crisis

Tim McGonigle, director for the Town of Lake Cowichan on the board of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, wants to see an independent review of remuneration for district directors. (File photo)
The City of Duncan will raise taxes by 2.51% in 2020. (File photo)

City of Duncan to raise taxes by 2.51% in 2020

Council was consiering a tax hike of 3.16% before COVID-19 crisis

The City of Duncan will raise taxes by 2.51% in 2020. (File photo)
The Neucel pulp mill in Port Alice has been sent to receivership. (Tyson Whitney)

Dormant Northern Vancouver Island pulp mill declares bankruptcy, owes $272 million

Port Alice’s main employer and tax payer has left the village on the hook for $1.8 million

The Neucel pulp mill in Port Alice has been sent to receivership. (Tyson Whitney)
Alert Bay had a cluster of COVID-19 cases in April, but has had no new cases since the 30th. (Alertbay.ca photo)

COVID-19: As First Nation grapples with woman’s death, Alert Bay looks to ease restrictions

By the numbers, Alert Bay’s lockdown has been effective.

Alert Bay had a cluster of COVID-19 cases in April, but has had no new cases since the 30th. (Alertbay.ca photo)
Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples. (File photo)

City of Duncan establishes grant program during COVID-19 crisis

The Government/Kenneth Street capital project will be delayed until 2021 to fund it

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples. (File photo)
As the acting mayor, Bill Ives will continue to hold office until Sayward’s next elections. (Submitted )

Sayward appoints new acting mayor amidst COVID-19

Councillor Bill Ives takes over as the acting mayor and moves forward with signing off on budget

As the acting mayor, Bill Ives will continue to hold office until Sayward’s next elections. (Submitted )
The City of Duncan will review its capital plans for 2020 to determine if any can be delayed until next year to see if there are ways to help citizens who are financially pressed during the COVID-19 crisis. (File photo)

City of Duncan looks to find cost savings in its 2020 budget

Final budget must be adopted by May 15

The City of Duncan will review its capital plans for 2020 to determine if any can be delayed until next year to see if there are ways to help citizens who are financially pressed during the COVID-19 crisis. (File photo)
The City of Duncan turns to online process to get public feedback for two sites, including the site of the old Red Balloon store (pictured) downtown. (File photo)

City of Duncan to go online to gather public feedback on projects

Health crisis has caused the cancellation of workshops

The City of Duncan turns to online process to get public feedback for two sites, including the site of the old Red Balloon store (pictured) downtown. (File photo)
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring has announced that the municipality is again accepting and processing building, subdivision and land development applications. (File photo)

North Cowichan accepting development applications again

Municipality had ceased accepting applications during COVID-19 crisis

  • Apr 24, 2020
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring has announced that the municipality is again accepting and processing building, subdivision and land development applications. (File photo)
Duncan city council gives green light to minor changes to College Street project. (Submitted photo)

Duncan council allows minor changes to College Street development

Project calls for five three-storey structures, with 21 units

Duncan city council gives green light to minor changes to College Street project. (Submitted photo)
Despite the political disruptions that have taken place in Sayward, a special emergency response team has been appointed to tackle COVID-19 challenges. (Submitted photo )

Subsequent mayors’ resignations leaves Island village with a governance vacuum in perilous times

Sayward council will confer to elect an interim mayor almost a month after previous resignation as it continues to tackle COVID-19 with an emergency response team

Despite the political disruptions that have taken place in Sayward, a special emergency response team has been appointed to tackle COVID-19 challenges. (Submitted photo )
North Copwichan’s council must decide if it wants to continue with new RCMP detachment project and approval process while the COVID-19 crisis continues. (File photo)

North Cowichan must decide if it wants to continue with new RCMP building this year

Municiplaity wants to use alternative approval process instead of referendum

North Copwichan’s council must decide if it wants to continue with new RCMP detachment project and approval process while the COVID-19 crisis continues. (File photo)
Mark Frame, North Cowichan’s finance director, and his staff are now recommending a 1.8 per cent tax increase in 2020. (File photo)

North Cowichan now to consider 1.8% tax increase in 2020

Staff had previously recommended a 4.4% tax increase

Mark Frame, North Cowichan’s finance director, and his staff are now recommending a 1.8 per cent tax increase in 2020. (File photo)
North Cowichan receives $10,000 for continued sensitive ecosystem work assessments and mapping within its Municipal Forest Reserve. (File photo)

North Cowichan receives $10,000 for assessments in forest reserve

Funding comes from Ottawa and the Coastal Douglas-fir Conservation Partnership

  • Apr 13, 2020
North Cowichan receives $10,000 for continued sensitive ecosystem work assessments and mapping within its Municipal Forest Reserve. (File photo)
Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples said city council is waiting to see what, if any, tax mitigation plans the province may introduce to help taxpayers during COVID-19 crisis before it finally adopts the city’s budget for 2020. (File photo)

City of Duncan considering a tax increase of 3.16%

But final adoption will wait until province lays out tax mitigation plans

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples said city council is waiting to see what, if any, tax mitigation plans the province may introduce to help taxpayers during COVID-19 crisis before it finally adopts the city’s budget for 2020. (File photo)