The City of Campbell River acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach people of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation and We Wai Kai Nation.
Here are the highlights from the December 9 and 11, 2025, Council and Committee meetings, including important community initiatives and Council decisions. Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.
Finance Updates
2026-2035 Ten Year Financial Plan Adopted
Following deliberations, Council formally adopted the 2026-2035 Ten Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4005, 2025.
The 2026 Budget features a 2.7 per cent property tax increase, approximately an additional $5 per month or $60 annually for the average family home. Utility fees will increase by approximately $65 per year. These increases, which are the lowest amongst Campbell River’s comparator communities at the time of publishing, reflect Council’s commitment to balancing affordability with long-term financial stability.
The 2026 Budget ensures the continued delivery of essential services and includes strategic investments in community safety and infrastructure to accommodate growth and support a healthy and safe community for all.
Over $83 million in capital projects and major investments, including:
- Erickson Road Renewal ($10 million)
- John Hart Reservoir ($14.4 million)
- Nunns Creek Park Enhancements ($6.6 million, grant funded)
- Campbellton Sewer Upgrade ($2.8 million)
- Reimagine the Row ($1.6 million)
- Sewer and Watermain Replacement ($4.8 million)
$7.95 million in operating projects, including:
- CR Live Streets ($209,000)
- Culture and Events Specialist ($120,000) with entertainment and programming support ($83,000)
- Downtown Cleanliness Program ($249,000)
- Community Safety Enhancements, increased bylaw enforcement coverage with longer hours ($767,000)
- Temporary Overnight Sheltering ($200,000)
- Community Grants ($150,000)
Approximately $440,000, equivalent to one per cent of the overall tax increase, was approved to support critical infrastructure renewal and replacement, helping the City safeguards assets while planning responsibly for the future.
Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw
Council adopted 2025-2034 Ten Year Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 4004, 2025. The bylaw has been amended to reflect subsequent Council decisions in compliance with the Community Charter and Provincial requirements. These amendments do not impact taxation. For more information, view the report on the December 9, 2025, Regular Council agenda, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
Community Safety Updates
Bylaws to Deter and Recover Costs for Responding to Nuisance Behaviours
Council gave third reading to Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 4002, 2025 and Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Amendment Bylaw No. 4003, 2025.
The City’s Public Nuisance Bylaw addresses property-related unsightliness but, unlike similar bylaws in Courtenay, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, and Cumberland, it does not allow cost recovery for repeated nuisance calls by the City or RCMP.
The proposed bylaw would create a process for Council to designate “Nuisance Properties.” Once designated, costs related to these calls could be recovered from owners for repeated non-emergency calls to RCMP, Fire, or Bylaw Services. It aims to deter behaviours like loud parties, public intoxication, fighting, and illegal activity, while excluding emergency or medical calls. Properties typically include drug or party houses.
The Director of Community Safety emphasized that bylaw enforcement is complaint-driven, impartial, and consistent. Designating a nuisance property would involve a rigorous, multi-stage review by a working group with City and RCMP representation, which would consider repeated complaints and failed owner interventions. Only if Council approves the recommendation could the City recover costs for non-emergency RCMP, Fire, or Bylaw responses.
Council received and considered written correspondence, regarding Public Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 4002, 2025.
For more information, view the report on the Regular Council Agenda for December 11, 2025, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
Remedial Action Notice for 2131 Park Road
Council directed staff to require the owner of the property at 2131 Park Road to bring the property into compliance with Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 in relation to unsightliness. Council also authorized City contractors to enter onto the property to perform the work required to achieve compliance if the property owners do not comply with the remedial action notice.
Development Services Update
Major Development Permit with Variance for 15 Dogwood Street
Council approved a Major Development Permit with Variance for 15 Dogwood Street to construct a six-storey, mixed-use building with 45 affordable rental units and a cultural gathering space with potential commercial uses. This is Phase Two of a two-phase project; Phase One included a one-storey childcare facility with 61 spaces.
The applicant requested variances to reduce front and side yard setbacks, decrease parking stalls from 61 to 39, reduce loading stalls from two to one, and allow stairs to project 3.1 metres into the side yard setback.
The proposal aligns with the City’s design and energy guidelines, and impacts from variances are mitigated through a transportation demand management program and lane extension.
Council required:
- Landscape security of $152,481 (125 per cent of estimated cost) prior to building permit issuance.
- Financial security for 18 annual bus passes for three years (125 per cent of cost) as a parking variance condition.
- Completion of the lane from Evergreen Road to Thanet Road or security of 125 per cent of a Class B cost estimate prior to permit issuance.
Council also directed staff to execute an encroachment agreement for exclusive use of parking stalls within the Thanet Road Right of Way.
Written correspondence was received and considered.
Correspondence
Professional Reliance Act
Council received correspondences from several B.C. municipalities to various representatives of the Government of British Columbia regarding Bill M-216-Professional Reliance Act. The correspondences express the local governments’ concern about the proposed bill. Council also received correspondence from Mayor Sid Tobias, Town of View Royal, inviting municipalities to consider joining a coordinated Judicial Review of Provincial Housing Laws (Bills 44, 47, 13, 15 and M216). Council directed staff to provide additional information and recommendations on joining a coordinated judicial review.