The City of Campbell River acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach people of the Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations.
Here are the highlights from the November 4 and 6, 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.
Economic Updates
Destination Campbell River 2026 Annual Tactical Plan
Council approved the 2026 Destination Campbell River Annual Tactical Plan. This plan guides marketing, destination development, and visitor services, and aligns with the City’s 5-Year Tourism Strategic Plan (2022–2027). Staff will submit the plan to Destination British Columbia by November 30, 2025, to maintain funding.
Key focus areas include:
- Lessons learned from the previous year
- Strategic direction from the 5-Year Tourism Strategic Plan
- Marketing and management tactics for 2026
- Expected outcomes and performance measures
- Budget details and funding sources
Tourism generates an estimated $165 million in annual economic benefit to Campbell River and the Strathcona Regional District. The new plan builds on recent successes and aims to support continued growth.
Finance Updates
2025 Thriving Non-Profits Program Update and Feedback from Non-Profits
Council received a report on the Thriving Non-Profits Bootcamp Program, delivered to local organizations in August and October 2025. The City partnered with the Campbell River Community Foundation and Scale Collaborative to help non-profits strengthen financial resilience and explore revenue diversification strategies. These efforts aim to make limited resources go further, create space for emerging groups, and reduce the tax burden while continuing to support community priorities.
During the Bootcamp, these organizations expressed interest in more opportunities to connect with Council. Following the Bootcamp, the five organizations that use City-owned facilities and receive non-market leases and grants were invited to present feedback and share information with Council:
- Museum at Campbell River – Sandra Parrish, Executive Director, and Dennis Fitzgerald, Board of Trustees President
- Tidemark Theatre – Kirsten Soder, Acting Managing Director, and Mary Malinsky, Operations Director
- Maritime Heritage Centre – Erika Anderson, Executive Director
- Campbell River Arts Council – Ken Blackburn, Executive Director
- Campbell River Art Gallery – Barbara Neff, Executive Director
The presentations provided a chance to share plans, highlight any revenue diversification strategies, offer feedback on the Bootcamp, and outline operational challenges.
These five core operators have existing lease agreements expiring between spring 2026 and 2028. Three have applied for new five-year leases.
Learn more about the Financial Assistance Policy and watch the November 4, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting presentations on the City website.
2026 to 2030 User Fee Update
Council received a presentation on proposed 2026 to 2030 user fees and parcel taxes. Staff will now prepare amendments to the User Fees and Charges Bylaw for Council consideration during 2026 to 2035 Financial Planning deliberations and the December 9, 2025, Council meeting.
User fees fund critical services that benefit specific users, including water, sewer and garbage collection. Parcel taxes help maintain high service levels for amenities valued by all residents, such as parks. Regular updates to user fees and parcel taxes are necessary to keep pace with inflation, reflect the actual cost of service delivery, and prevent underfunding of essential infrastructure.
If adopted by Council, total fees for Water, Sewer, Solid Waste, and Parks Parcel Taxes for a typical single-family dwelling would increase by approximately $71 a year from 2026 to 2030.
Development Services Updates
Zoning Bylaw Amendment at 1308 Island Highway South
Council gave first, second and third readings to Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 3999, 2025, for 1308 Island Highway South. The amendment proposes to rezone the property from Residential Multiple Three (RM-3) to Residential Multiple Four (RM-4) to allow a 52-unit development. An amendment to use Floor Area Ratio (FAR) as the density, with bonus provisions to a maximum FAR of 1.23, is also proposed.
The property is designated Waterfront in the Official Community Plan (OCP). Waterfront policies support higher density residential development and the proposed rezoning meets the land use designation and policies of the OCP.
Correspondence related to the amendment was received by Council.
Bylaw Contravention Notice for 248 Hilchey Road
Council approved the registration of a notice against the title of the property at 248 Hilchey Road to record that Building Permit BP003807 for an ancillary building has lapsed and the building has been fully constructed without the required inspections, including occupancy, having taken place.
Community Updates
Evening Food Program Extended Through to the End of 2026
Council directed staff to work to continue to deliver the downtown takeaway dinner food program until the end of December 2025. Council also directed staff to continue to explore options and action efforts for lobbying the Ministry of Poverty Reduction for the food security supports that Campbell River needs.
Council approved up to $24,000, allocated through the Financial Stabilization Reserve. The financial plan will be amended accordingly.
Correspondence
Vancouver Island Regional Library 2026 Board Appointments
Council received correspondence from Eileen Gillette, Interim Executive Director, Vancouver Island Regional Library, regarding 2026 Vancouver Island Regional Library Board Appointments. Council appointed Councillor Ron Kerr as the City representative to the board, and Councillor Doug Chapman as the alternate.
Campbell River Community Foundation Letter of Support Request
Council directed staff to provide a letter of support to the Campbell River Community Foundation for “The Hub” initiative, which would include the opening of a dynamic, shared space in the community.