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 March 24, 2026, Council and Committee meetings, including important community initiatives and Council decisions. Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.
Delegations
Celebrating Tyler Turner’s Paralympic Journey
Council proudly recognized local athlete Tyler Turner, who joined Mayor and Council after returning from the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Representing Canada on the world stage, Tyler earned a bronze medal in men’s snowboard cross, competing against the top para‑snowboarders from around the globe. His achievement reflects years of dedication, resilience, and elite athletic performance.
Council congratulated Tyler on this outstanding accomplishment and thanked him for inspiring the Campbell River community before formally recognizing Tyler with a certificate.
Finance Updates
User Fees and Charges Bylaw Amalgamation and Parcel Tax Update
Council adopted the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4007, 2026, the Parks Parcel Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 4012, 2026, and the Stormwater Management Parcel Tax Amendment Bylaw No. 4013, 2026.
The Fees and Charges Bylaw consolidates a range of non-development and Bylaw related fees into one transparent and accessible document. It brings together fees for services such as fire protection, water, sewer, solid waste, recreation, parks, cemetery services, police services, and other administrative functions. This work builds on the City’s 2023 fees and charges review and is intended to streamline administration, and ensure fees remain current and equitable. One new fee is incorporated: an $80 Special Event Permit fee to help recover a portion of staff costs while remaining affordable for community organizations.
Council also adopted amendments to the Parks Parcel Tax and the Stormwater Parcel Tax bylaws. The stormwater rates will increase by approximately five per cent annually from 2026 through 2028. This will help address historical underfunding while a broader stormwater utility model review is underway. The Parks Parcel Tax has been updated, reflecting increases in inflation since it was last updated in 2015.
The 2026-2035 Financial Plan will be amended accordingly.
Portable Radio Replacement Budget Amendment
Council re-established the Portable Radio Replacement Project within the 2026–2035 Financial Plan, with a budget of $164,799, funded from the Fire Reserve. The City’s portable radio fleet has reached the end of its service life and this project supports firefighter safety, operational reliability, and responsible asset management.
This project was approved in 2025 but was not carried forward as completion was anticipated within that year. Procurement will now be finalized, following the closure of the Request for Proposals on March 23, 2026, and now that compatibility requirements with the department’s new self-contained breathing apparatus have been finalized.
This re-establishment will not impact overall financial capacity, as reserve funding was previously established to support the project’s anticipated completion in 2025.
Quarterly Financial Update - Q4 2025
Council received the Quarterly Financial Report for the fourth quarter of 2025 for information. The report outlines the City’s financial performance against the approved Financial Plan and identifies variances to support decision making. The report is available to read on the March 24, 2026, Regular Council Agenda at campbellriver.civicweb.net, or watch the presentation from the March 10, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting on the webcast at campbellriver.ca/webcasts.
Community Planning and Livability Updates
Campbell River Master Transportation Plan Update
Council adopted the Campbell River Master Transportation Plan (MTP), a plan that was developed and refined in alignment with Council priorities and technical analysis, and with input from public consultation and community feedback.
The MTP considers the future transportation needs of the community. The plan provides recommendations for improvements that support walking, cycling, transit and vehicle infrastructure and policy over the next 10 years.
As a living document, the MTP will be regularly revisited and adjusted to maintain alignment with evolving community and Council priorities. The City will begin implementation of short-term actions while maintaining flexibility to adapt the plan as community and Council priorities evolve.
For more information, including a summary of the short-term priorities for improvements and enhancements, visit the project page: Campbell River Master Transportation Plan | Get Involved Campbell River.
Transit Future Action Plan Adopted
Following a presentation from Seth Wright, Senior Government Relations Manager, and Adriana McMullen, Senior Transit Planner, Integrated Service Planning, BC Transit, Council endorsed the Transit Future Action Plan (TFAP). Council directed staff to bring back a Memorandum of Understanding with BC Transit in September 2026 to formalize service expansion priorities for 2027 and beyond. Costs associated with service expansion will be referred to 2027 - 2036 Financial Planning.
The TFAP is developed by BC Transit in partnership with the City and outlines transit service and infrastructure improvements over the next seven years, setting short- to medium-term priorities. Key priorities include enhanced frequency along the Dogwood Street Corridor, extended service hours, and improved connectivity to Quinsam Heights, Homalco and the Campbell River Airport (among others). Following direction received from Council in September 2025, the TFAP also includes exploration of a seasonal service to McIvor Lake and adding service to ʔuxstalis (Tyee Spit).
Public input was gathered through driver and rider surveys and consultations with community partners.
Development Updates
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4011, 2006
Council gave first, second, and third readings to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4011, 2026. The bylaw proposes a site-specific amendment to the Commercial One B (C-1B) Zone to increase the permitted floor area ratio (FAR) from 3.0 to 3.58 for lots less than 9,290 square metres, located at 1302, 1342, 1352 Shoppers Row and 1362 16th Avenue.
The proposed FAR increase would support a six-storey, mixed-use development with commercial, retail and civic space at ground level; two storeys of parking on the first and second floors; and four storeys of residential rental housing (184 units in total, including 18 affordable units).
The properties are designated Downtown in the Official Community Plan (OCP), which supports redevelopment of underused downtown sites for residential and mixed-use projects. The proposed development is consistent with OCP policies and is appropriately scaled for a downtown urban setting.
Under Section 464(3) of the Local Government Act, a public hearing is not permitted when a zoning bylaw is consistent with the OCP and residential use makes up at least half of the building’s total floor area. As these conditions are met, a public hearing will not be held.
For more information, visit the project page at www.getinvolved.campbellriver.ca/reimagine-the-row.
Corporate Services Update
Board of Variance Appointment
Council selected Bruce Woytuik from the received applications to serve on the Board of Variance for a three-year term commencing April 1, 2026.
City Partners With Salvation Army to Deliver a Nightly Dinner Program
Council authorized the Corporate Officer and Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salvation Army to deliver a nightly dinner program with up to the following funding levels provided by the City: $144,000 in 2026, $108,000 in 2027, $72,000 in 2028 and $36,000 in 2029.
The 2026 financial contribution will be funded through the Financial Stabilization Reserve and future funding will be referred to 2027-2036 Financial Planning Deliberations. Staff will seek grant funding to offset the City's financial contributions.
The nightly dinner program will be delivered at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, in partnership with the Salvation Army and the Laichwiltach Family Life Society (LFLS). The program expands existing lunchtime meal services to provide consistent evening meals in an established setting. The dinner program is anticipated to begin as soon as volunteers, supplies and all logistics are in place. The take-away dinner program will continue until the new program is officially launched.
Correspondence
Pickleball Courts
Council received correspondence from members of the public regarding a desire for more pickleball courts in Campbell River.