Strategic Plan

• Purchase property/land to support the Reimagine the Row Project, which will bring new rental housing—including affordable homes—and new commercial and civic spaces to the 1300 block of Shoppers Row downtown
• Supported downtown developments through disposition of City-owned land at 1022 Cedar Street to facilitate a mixed-use building with commercial space and apartments

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• Expanded downtown events and programming, including the City’s CR Live Streets event series and Canada Day festivities
• Implemented the Downtown Cleanliness Program and established a dedicated downtown cleanliness crew 
• Supported overnight downtown security patrols in partnership with Campbell River Downtown BIA
• Launched the 'It’s Time for Downtown' campaign showcasing all the great things the city's downtown has to offer
• Adopted a Public Nuisance Amendment Bylaw to establish designated overnight camping locations to support the City's vulnerable population
• Provided Downtown Beautification Grants, supporting beautification efforts downtown as well as in Campbellton and Willow Point

• Purchased land to establish the Downtown Safety Office
• Adopted Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3898, 2023 to restrict the consumption of Controlled Substances in public spaces

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• Increased personnel and expanded proactive patrol hours of the Bylaw Enforcement team to seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Expanded downtown security patrols and established a security guard presence at the skateboard park at the Sportsplex
• Carrying out the Crime Prevention Youth Engagement Program, working with youth to address gun and gang violence
• Supporting the work of the Campbell River Situation Table with the inclusion of City of Campbell River Fire Department and Bylaw Enforcement Department staff to help individuals experiencing crisis and to promote wellbeing
• Upgraded and added capacity to the City's network of CCTV cameras at key crime and traffic safety hot spots in the downtown core
• Launched a commercial and private surveillance registry project
• Supported four additional RCMP members and enhanced patrols to the downtown core
• Between 2024 and 2025, property crime in the downtown dropped by almost 40%, with overall property crime in the City down approximately 28%
• Increased downtown activities to encourage a lively, positive, and welcoming community core that attracts community members and visitors alike. For details, visit the City's event calendar
• Carried out a broad public engagement to develop a Community Safety and Wellbeing Action Plan with key actions aimed to deliver positive change

• Supported an expanded River Route trail in Campbellton River Village and collaborated with Campbellton Neighbourhood Association on a community park and playground
• Acquired 1021 Island Highway South to enhance parking, improve traffic flow, and support future amenities at the Big Rock Boat Ramp
• Constructed new pedestrian corridors, including a multi-use path on Willis Road and a pedestrian pathway on Cheviot Road, with plans to build stairs down the Pinecrest Road right-of-way, enhancing access to the City's waterfront

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• Increased McIvor Lake Park service cleaning levels and maintenance
• Initiated the redevelopment of Nunns Creek Park as an envisioned Slo-Pitch hub, while also supporting multiple user groups and events 
• Partnered with School District 72 to create two temporary designated off-leash dog parks at Robron Park and the former Evergreen school 
• Installed two publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in secure, heated and alarmed outdoor cabinets at Robron and Willow Point parks 
• Extended the funding for the lease of the Campbell River Seniors Centre
• Added washrooms at Holm Road and Dogwood Street (Airport Main) in partnership with Rotary
• Brought Animal Control services in-house within the Bylaw Enforcement Department
• Partnered with the Salvation Army and Laichwiltach Family Life Society to deliver a nightly sit-down dinner program at the Centre of Hope location during weekdays
• Expanded recreation programs for all ages and abilities, including introducing free admission to Centennial Outdoor Pool for those 18 and younger

• Updated development procedures, building and servicing bylaws that add clarity and efficiency in processing applications
• Updated, or are updating, master planning documents, such as:
  • Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw
  • Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan 
  • Master Transportation Plan
  • Quinsam Heights Neighourhood Plan
  • Petersen Road Corridor Study
  • Hilchey Road Corridor Study
• Initiated City-led Zoning Bylaw updates to create a new Residential Infill Zone, permitting up to 4 dwelling units on a residential lot, as well as pre-zoning lands along the Dogwood Corridor to support buildings up to 10-storeys in height
• Acquired 251 Dogwood Street (previously a portion of 260 Cedar Street) for future development

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• Worked with BC Transit to adopt a Transit Future Action Plan, which will inform future transit priorities in Campbell River 

• Entered into a Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, securing up to $10.4 million in funding to increase the local housing supply through seven key initiatives:
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit Implementation Strategy, such as incentive grants to support the creation of legal secondary suites
  • Missing Middle Zoning Strategy, including City-initiated pre-zoning to allow residential densification in neighbourhoods
  • Parking regulation revisions to reduce parking requirements for rental developments, along the Dogwood Corridor and downtown
  • Development approvals process improvements and regulatory barrier reductions 
  • Financial tools to incentivize development, seen in Council's adoption of a Development Cost Charge Reduction bylaw to support non-market and affordable housing construction
  • Increasing multi-family and transit-oriented housing viability along the Dogwood Corridor

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• Partnered with BC Housing to develop Homewood, a temporary housing facility that currently has 48 units and offers 24/7 support for local individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness 

• Conducting a city-wide Infrastructure Readiness Assessment as part of the Official Community Plan update
• Completed Complete Communities Mapping Exercise, with funding from UBCM, to identify areas in the community to inform land use decision-making, considering housing need, supply, and location; providing transportation options, including increased walkability; and making connections to infrastructure investment and servicing decisions
• Updated Development Cost Charges bylaw to ensure infrastructure costs associated with new development are paid for by development

• Adopted development, building and servicing bylaws that which create clarification for the development community and efficiency in processing applications
• Updated, or are updating, master planning documents, such as:
  • Official Community Plan
  • Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan 
  • Master Transportation Plan (in conjunction with the Petersen Corridor Study)
  • Quinsam Heights Neighourhood Plan
• Worked with BC Transit on the Transit Future Actions Plan 
• Reformed zoning to provide density bonussing and similar incentives to encourage daycare spaces and worker housing to meet community needs

• Developed the draft Asset Management Strategy and Asset Management Policy
• Implementing Operations Management Software to improve asset management and increase operational efficiencies 
• Reviewing the Quinsam Heights Integrated Stormwater Management Plan
• Completing a Quinsam Heights ditch review

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• Undertook, or are undertaking, significant capital projects to renew infrastructure or address capacity constraints, including:
  • Campbellton Sewer System Upgrades
  • Seagull Walkway Upgrades (the north section)
  • John Hart Water Treatment Centre Reservoir
  • RCMP Security and Parking Lot Expansion Project
  • Erickson Road Renewal Project    
  • 6th Avenue – Thulin Utility Renewal Project
  • City of Campbell River Airport (YBL) runway pavement refurbishment, taxiway lighting upgrade, jet-fuel storage expansion, parking lot expansion

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• Launched the Business Incubator Program
• Operating The Rail Yard Market 
• ARC advocacy 
• Completed Industry Analysis and Investment Attraction Study
• Transitioned the tourism function to in-house delivery, relocated the Visitor Information Centre to the Maritime Heritage Centre and completed the 5-Year Tourism Strategic Plan
• Partnered with the Regional District of Mount Waddington and Strathcona Regional District for the Campbell River and North Island Labour Market Partnership Project 
• Completed the Campbell River Airport (YBL) Strategic Plan
• Expansion of Air services (Westjet and Harbour Air)

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• Reviewed and aligned the Base Operating Budget to ensure efficient and effective use of taxpayer funds
• Implemented a new Financial Assistance Policy to improve overall fairness and equitability while being cognizant of remaining fiscally responsible
• Updated the Financial Investment Policy to ensure that municipal funds are being invested in a responsible manner, balancing preservation of capital, liquidity, and earning an appropriate rate of return
• Updating the Development Cost Charges Bylaw to ensure infrastructure costs associated with new development are paid for by development
• Secured several provincial and federal grants, including: 
  • Union of BC Municipalities’ Complete Communities Grant ($150,000)
  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund ($10.4 million)
  • BC Air Access Program funding ($996,000)
  • Rural Economic and Diversification Investment Program and Island Coastal Economic Trust grants ($650,000)
  • Growing Communities Grant ($8.6 million)
  • Local Government Climate Action Plan Grant ($752,000)
• Implemented new software to replace legacy systems and improve financial and human resources reporting and processes
• Reviewed the City’s tax rates and overall levels of taxation in comparison with municipalities across British Columbia to ensure overall taxation levels remain comparable to other communities
• Regularly reviewed User Fees and Charges to ensure fee structures align with Council priorities while appropriately balancing user fee and taxation funding models to support affordability and keep property taxes low
• Enhanced tax communications throughout the year through the use of clear messaging, videos, and social media to improve public understanding of and access to the City's financial information 
• Achieved WorkSafeBC (WSBC) Certificate of Recognition (COR), demonstrating strong safety systems and providing a significant rebate on annual WSBC premiums
   

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• Following employee survey feedback, implemented a Workplace Culture Action Plan and created a multi-year Organizational Development Plan, incorporating initiatives such as corporate training and flexible work programs to support staff retention and recruitment
• Implemented organization-wide respectful workplace training and prevention of workplace violence training for all employees 
• Awarded the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) 2023 Safety Improvement Award and the 2024 and 2025 BCMSA Organizational Safety Excellence Awards
• Completion of the 2023 WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition audit, along with 2024 and 2025 maintenance audits, demonstrated a focus on reviewing the City's safety administrative procedures and ensuring a safe workplace for all employees
• Deliver widely read internal bi-monthly employee newsletters
• Trending employee statistics show increased employee retention and reduced vacancy rates

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• Implemented engagement software to facilitate online community engagement for major projects
• Transitioned the City website to a streamlined, accessible, user-friendly site, shaped by community input and industry best practices
• Implemented the Flag and Proclamation Policy
• Developed a Privacy Management Program and supporting policies and procedures
• Implemented an updated Council Correspondence Policy 
• Continued the biannual Citizen Satisfaction Survey (2025), the results of which showed that residents continue to rate Campbell River as an exceptional place to live

• Created a Director of Economic Development and Indigenous Relations position to create a dedicated resource
• Established quarterly Council-to-Council Meetings with We Wai Kai Nation and Wei Wai Kum First Nation
• Engaging with Homalco Nation

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• Supported the unveiling of Indigenous arches at ʔuxstalis (Tyee Spit)  and Baikie Island
• Published the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ First Nations Tourism Guide
• Rolled out Indigenous Training for City staff
• Partnership with Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai Nation on a FireSmart Program
• Communication protocols for emergency management for local nations

• Collaborated with the Table of Partners, a dedicated working group to tackle community substance use challenges, helping secure funding opportunities, including Homewood Village
• Established a Community Safety and Wellbeing working group to move forward with initiatives under the Action Plan
• Provided financial support to, and collaborated with, School District 72 to create 200 after-school daycare spaces
• Collaborated with the Métis Nation Government in British Columbia on a property transfer to bring up to 40 new affordable housing units and a daycare facility to the community
• Partnered with business improvement associations for community events, such as Deck the Downtown
• Partnered with Strathcona Regional District for North Island 9-1-1 Next Gen project implementation 
• Collaborated with the Campbell River and District Division of Family Practice and CR Medical Staff Engagement Initiative Society to create the Essential Workers Temporary Housing program and Welcome to Campbell River packages to support essential worker recruitment
• Facilitated land use agreements for a variety of community initiatives, including:

     o    A Campbell River Community Foundation monument

     o    The Connected Coast project

     o    BC Housing projects

     o    Campbellton Neighbourhood Association riverfront projects

• North Island 911 - updated the agreement to expand capacity to respond to increase service needs
   

• Advocated successfully for Provincial Government funding for the Homewood temporary housing initiative
• Advocated to the Federal Government for the aquiculture and forestry industries
• Advocating for a treatment and second stage housing at Willis Road
• Convened the Alliance of Resource Communities
• Advocating to the Provincial Government for modifications to Provincial policies and procedures in order to reduce Provincial delays on local development projects
• Advocating to the Provincial Government for long-term care and supportive housing in Campbell River
• Advocating to the Provincial Government for improvements to food-security funding 
• Leveraging community partnerships and continuing to lobby senior levels of government for resources and legislation to help build housing 
• Council supported the installation of the Blue Hat Memorial Project at City Hall and ʔuxstalis (Tyee Spit) 
• Established a Community Safety and Wellbeing working group to move forward with initiatives under the Action Plan