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 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.
Finance Updates
Long-term Licences Renewed for Core Operators of City-owned Facilities
Council has approved new five-year licences for the Tidemark Theatre Society, Campbell River Maritime Heritage Society, and Campbell River & District Art Gallery. These organizations operate City-owned facilities to deliver arts and culture programming and applied for new licences under the City’s updated Financial Assistance Policy, as their current leases expire between 2026 and 2028.
Each licence was approved at a rate of $1 annually, well below market value (Tidemark Theatre: $415,421; Art Gallery: $53,685; Maritime Heritage Centre: $307,560). In total, the City provides $776,666 in annual financial assistance through these agreements, with additional support provided through property tax exemptions, building maintenance, and grant funding.
The City continues to work closely with local non-profits to strengthen financial resilience. Earlier this year, these and other organizations completed the Thriving Non-Profits Bootcamp Program, offered in partnership with the Campbell River Community Foundation and Scale Collaborative, to explore revenue diversification strategies. In November, the five core non-profit operators of City-owned facilities presented to Council to share information about their operations, highlight any revenue diversification strategies they’ve identified, and share some of their operational challenges which may limit opportunities for revenue diversification.
The City will continue to work closely with these organizations to enter into these new licence agreements and proceed with statutory notifications in accordance with the Community Charter.
Learn more about the Financial Assistance Policy on the City’s website at Assistance for Non-profit Organizations | City of Campbell River.
Community Safety Updates
Bylaws to Deter and Recover Costs for Responding to Nuisance Behaviours
Council received a staff presentation and report and gave first and second readings to Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 4002, 2025 and Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Amendment Bylaw No. 4003, 2025.
The City already has a Public Nuisance Bylaw in place that defines unsightliness connected with properties and provides a mechanism for addressing infractions through remedial actions. However, it does not have a mechanism for recovering costs incurred when the City or RCMP respond to calls to address repeated and significant nuisance activities on property. The Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw proposes a process for defining a Nuisance Property, a determination which would be required through Council decision. Once a property is so deemed, the costs of subsequent nuisance calls to the Fire Department, Bylaw Department, or the RCMP would be recoverable from the owner. It also looks to deter nuisance behaviours and prevent multiple call-outs for repeated nuisance behaviours at a property. Nuisance behaviours may include behaviours such as partying, loud music, public intoxication, fighting and potential illegal or criminal activity. This bylaw would not impact calls related to emergencies or involving medical first responders.
For more information, view the report on the Regular Council Agenda for November 20, 2025, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
Development Services Updates
Zoning Bylaw Amendment at 1308 Island Highway South
Council adopted Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 3999, 2025, for 1308 Island Highway South. The amendment rezones 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 included.
The property is designated Waterfront in the Official Community Plan (OCP). Waterfront policies support higher density residential development and the rezoning meets the land use designation and policies of the OCP.
Legislative Services Updates
2026 Council Meeting Calendar
Council approved the 2026 Council Meeting Calendar and the Acting Mayor Schedule and Council Alternates assignments. In 2026, Closed Council meetings will commence at 5:30 p.m., public hearings will commence at 6 p.m. when required, Regular Council meetings (open to the public) will commence at 6 p.m. or following a public hearing, and Committee of the Whole meetings will commence at 10:30 a.m.
The Community Charter and the City’s Council Procedure Bylaw require that Council establish an annual meeting schedule and publish it in accordance with the Public Notice Bylaw on or before December 31 of the preceding year.
The Acting Mayor Schedule and Council Alternates assignments are available to view on the Regular Council Agenda for November 20, 2025, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
2026 Council Appointments to Boards and Committees
Council approved Council appointments to standing committees and external and internal boards and committees, as recommended by Mayor Kermit Dahl. The Mayor is responsible for recommending Council appointments to various boards, committees and community organizations on an annual basis, as outlined by the Community Charter and Council’s Administrative Policy. The full list of Council appointments is available to view on the Regular Council Agenda for November 20, 2025, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
Correspondence
Letter to Premier Eby Regarding Softwood Lumber Taskforce
Council acknowledged the correspondence sent from Mayor Dahl on behalf of the City of Campbell River and the Alliance of Resource Communities to the Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, regarding the softwood lumber taskforce. Campbell River is requesting that local governments be given representation on the provincial softwood lumber task force. The letter emphasizes Campbell River’s reliance on forestry, the severe impact of U.S. tariffs on jobs and the regional economy, and the importance of including affected communities in decision-making. It highlights the Alliance’s advocacy efforts and urges the Premier to ensure inclusive governance so that resource-dependent municipalities can help shape solutions for a sustainable and resilient forest sector.