municipal politics

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)
The City of Duncan is moving forward with several capital projects downtown, including sidewalk improvements on Duncan Street (pictured), during the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 crisis. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

City of Duncan moves forward with downtown projects during COVID-19 shut down

Some projects were scheduled for later in the year

The City of Duncan is moving forward with several capital projects downtown, including sidewalk improvements on Duncan Street (pictured), during the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 crisis. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The City of Duncan is considering 3.16% tax increase in 2020, but Mayor Michelle Staples (pictured) said council may postpone its tax discussions during the COVID-19 crisis to allow time for the province to consider options for municipal taxes during the pandemic. (File photo)

City of Duncan to consider a 3.16% tax increase for 2020

But council may consider delaying discussion due to COVID-19 crisis

The City of Duncan is considering 3.16% tax increase in 2020, but Mayor Michelle Staples (pictured) said council may postpone its tax discussions during the COVID-19 crisis to allow time for the province to consider options for municipal taxes during the pandemic. (File photo)
Sierra Acton, regional district director for Shawnigan Lake and chair of the director services select committee. (file photo)

CVRD directors defer pay-raise discussion for 30 days

Board considering raise of $11,167 for electoral area directors

Sierra Acton, regional district director for Shawnigan Lake and chair of the director services select committee. (file photo)
A development proposal for 1378 Adelaide St. in Crofton has raised the ire of some of its neighbours. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Neighbours raise concerns about Crofton development proposal

Parking a major concern for 11-unit subdividion

A development proposal for 1378 Adelaide St. in Crofton has raised the ire of some of its neighbours. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
CVRD Director Klaus Kuhn said quasi-political groups operating in Cowichan are after power. (Warren Goulding/Gazette)

CVRD directors from Cowichan Lake area rip into quasi political groups

“They’re not out to save the world, they’re out to kick business.”

CVRD Director Klaus Kuhn said quasi-political groups operating in Cowichan are after power. (Warren Goulding/Gazette)
North Cowichan, which has its share of problems with issues related to homelessness and addictions, is sending a letter to government ministries asking for assistance. Pictured is RCMP and North Cowichan bylaw officers clearing out a homeless camp on Lewis Street last year. (File photo)

North Cowichan to outline community crisis to provincial ministries

Initiative is part of campaign by local leadership to highlight regional concerns

North Cowichan, which has its share of problems with issues related to homelessness and addictions, is sending a letter to government ministries asking for assistance. Pictured is RCMP and North Cowichan bylaw officers clearing out a homeless camp on Lewis Street last year. (File photo)
Mary Marcotte, (left) director for Area H in the CVRD, has resigned her seat as of March 6. Her alternate Colin Haime (right) has taken over her responsibilities to the board until a byelection is called. (File photo)

Long-time CVRD director for North Oyster/Diamond resigns

Mary Marcotte has been on leave-of-absence since September

Mary Marcotte, (left) director for Area H in the CVRD, has resigned her seat as of March 6. Her alternate Colin Haime (right) has taken over her responsibilities to the board until a byelection is called. (File photo)
Mary Marcotte, (left) director for Area H in the CVRD, has resigned her seat as of March 6. Her alternate Colin Haime (right) has taken over her responsibilities to the board until a byelection is called. (File photo)

Long-time CVRD director for North Oyster/Diamond resigns

Mary Marcotte has been on leave-of-absence since September

Mary Marcotte, (left) director for Area H in the CVRD, has resigned her seat as of March 6. Her alternate Colin Haime (right) has taken over her responsibilities to the board until a byelection is called. (File photo)
Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples holds Mayor’s Cafe in Cairsnmore neighbourhood. (File photo)

City of Duncan hosts Mayor’s Café in Cairnsmore neighbourhood

Meeting expected to be the first of many in the city

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples holds Mayor’s Cafe in Cairsnmore neighbourhood. (File photo)
North Cowichan seeks members for forestry working group

North Cowichan seeks members for forestry working group

Applications available until March 6

  • Mar 3, 2020
North Cowichan seeks members for forestry working group