municipal politics

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

 

Duncan CAO Peter de Verteuil (pictured) said social issues in the city are a “tough subject matter.” (File photo)

Duncan officials to discuss social issues at UBCM

Crime, homelessness, housing, opioid use and other issues mostly outside local jurisidictions

 

The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)

City of Duncan eliminates town crier position

Cites “increased awareness of historical injustices” as reason

 

North Cowichan has committed $3,000 towards the repairs of the wildlife viewing platform in the Somenos Marsh that was vandalized in April. Pictured is the platform while under construction. (File photo)

North Cowichan donates $3,000 for viewing tower repairs

Platform in Somenos Marsh vandalized in April

North Cowichan has committed $3,000 towards the repairs of the wildlife viewing platform in the Somenos Marsh that was vandalized in April. Pictured is the platform while under construction. (File photo)
Funding from the City of Duncan to repair and restart the cob oven in Centennial Park will be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting next month. (File photo)

Future of Duncan’s cob oven to get further review

City of Duncan’s council wants more information on funding proposal

Funding from the City of Duncan to repair and restart the cob oven in Centennial Park will be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting next month. (File photo)
Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Removal of graveside items by B.C. cemetery staff deemed ‘disrespectful’

Municipal cemetery removes all adornments from gravesites with little notice

Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
North Cowichan has banned the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in all properties owned by the municipality. (File photo)

North Cowichan bans use of rat poisons in municipal properties

The rodent poison has been linked to poisoning of other species

North Cowichan has banned the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in all properties owned by the municipality. (File photo)
Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino set to charge for parking at public beaches

Fees will be charged at roughly 10 locations including Chesterman Beach

Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)

Bonfires out, but machine-powered beach fires still OK in Tofino

Vancouver Island’s best-known beach community limits on public beaches to appliance fires only

Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)
North Cowichan has heated exchange over timelines of its official community plan review. (File photo)

North Cowichan’s OCP review divides council

Tight timelines leads to heated debate

North Cowichan has heated exchange over timelines of its official community plan review. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Rod Douglas has filed a successful motion for more street and shade trees in future developments in the municipality. (File photo)

Street trees get backing in North Cowichan

Council wants more trees in new developments

North Cowichan councillor Rod Douglas has filed a successful motion for more street and shade trees in future developments in the municipality. (File photo)
North Cowicha to extend the time lines of its official community plan update. (File photo)

North Cowichan to extend time line of OCP review

Municipality also adds $55,000 to OCP budget

North Cowicha to extend the time lines of its official community plan update. (File photo)
Crofton Fire Department members on the scene of Twin Gables fire in February of 2020. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Citizens’ group calls for action at Crofton’s Twin Gables Motel

Crofton waterfront site called an eyesore and a nuisance property

Crofton Fire Department members on the scene of Twin Gables fire in February of 2020. (Photo by Don Bodger)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)

North Cowichan to take no action against councillor who posted sexist meme

Tek Manhas’s meme doesn’t violate council’s code of conduct, municipality concludes

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)

North Cowichan councillor facing review over sexist meme posted to Facebook

Tek Manhas apologizes for post

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)
Aaron Stone, chairman of the CVRD, said the board tried to be as frugal as possible when building the budget for 2021. (File photo)

Cowichan Valley Regional District sets the average tax increase at 2.48% for 2021

District’s annual budget made up of 180 individual budgets

Aaron Stone, chairman of the CVRD, said the board tried to be as frugal as possible when building the budget for 2021. (File photo)
Dave Jackson and his wife Theresa hold up the award-winning neighbourhood plan for the Bell McKinnon area in front of where the new $887-million Cowichan District Hospital is proposed to be constructed. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Bell-McKinnon residents accuse North Cowichan council of bait-and-switch over area plan

Some North Cowichan councillors want changes

Dave Jackson and his wife Theresa hold up the award-winning neighbourhood plan for the Bell McKinnon area in front of where the new $887-million Cowichan District Hospital is proposed to be constructed. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)

Petition calls for policing commitment in Chemainus to be honoured

Former detachment member leads the charge in making the municipality and RCMP accountable

Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)
Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)

Rural B.C. mayor urged to resign after Facebook post against Indigenous people, pipelines

The mayor is refusing to quit, saying the post was taken out of context

Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)
Lon Wood, a neighbour of the trail head and parking lot of the Mount Tzouhalem trail system, was one of the neighbours who raised concerns about traffic and parking in the area. (File photo)

North Cowichan offers solutions to Kaspa Road parking

More signage, enforcement and parking options on the table

Lon Wood, a neighbour of the trail head and parking lot of the Mount Tzouhalem trail system, was one of the neighbours who raised concerns about traffic and parking in the area. (File photo)