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 January 8, 2026, Council meeting, including important community initiatives and Council decisions. Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.
Finance Updates
Council Approved $798,639 in Community and Operating Grants
Council approved 2026 Community and Operating Grant requests, totalling $146,189 and $652,450 respectively. Community Grants support non-profit projects, programs, and events that enhance Campbell River’s cultural, recreational, social, and economic vitality. Operating Grants provide ongoing funding to eligible non-profit organizations that deliver community benefits.
The City’s recently introduced Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), introduced in 2024, now governs all financial assistance including grants, leases, and facility rentals—under one streamlined, transparent framework. This policy balances support for non-profits with affordability for taxpayers and has made the grant program more inclusive, enabling new organizations to apply.
Community grants for 2026 were given in line with the FAP. For the list of 17 community grants recommended, view the report for the January 8, 2025 Council Meeting online at Campbell River - Home.
Organizations who did not receive a community grant did not meet policy criteria, such as not being a registered charity or society for at least two years, the funding is for a program that is held outside of the City, an organization already receives a permissive tax exemption or low-cost lease with the City, or provides more regional services to the area.
To support a smooth transition to the FAP, Council approved all Operating Grant requests for 2026, ensuring funding levels remain unchanged for another year. This gives organizations additional time to adapt and reduce reliance on City grants. The Campbell River & District Museum & Archives Society has already demonstrated progress toward financial resiliency and stability by requesting less funding for 2026 compared to 2025.
Operating grants for 2026 include:
- Operating Grants for Campbell River & District Public Art Gallery ($80,000)
- Maritime Heritage Society ($51,450)
- Campbell River & District Museum & Archives Society ($230,120)
- Tidemark Theatre Society ($217,000)
- Campbell River & District Museum & Archives Society - Haig-Brown House Operations ($44,880)
Council also directed staff to review FAP criteria for Operating Grants and report back with recommendations to ensure the policy meets its intended goals.
Council Approved Continued Food Security Program Funding
Council approved up to $24,000 from the Financial Stabilization Reserve to continue delivering a food security program through January and February 2026.
The City recognizes the closure of Harbourside Inn required the social services previously operating out of the building to be relocated and acknowledges that to date the groups have been unsuccessful in securing a new location. To help fill service gaps, the City has provided takeaway dinners for vulnerable community members, in addition to free hygiene services, since July 2025, through a partnership with the Salvation Army. This program supplements the hot lunch program that is available through the Salvation Army Centre of Hope.
For details on these additional services, visit Reimagine the Row | Get Involved Campbell River.
Community Safety Updates
Bylaws to Deter and Recover Costs for Responding to Nuisance Behaviours
Council adopted Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 4002, 2025 and Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Amendment Bylaw No. 4003, 2025.
These newly adopted bylaws create a process for Council to declare a property to be a “Nuisance Property.” Once declared, costs related to these calls could be recovered from owners or occupiers for repeated non-emergency calls to RCMP, Fire, or Bylaw Services. It aims to deter nuisance behaviours like loud parties, public intoxication, fighting, and illegal activity, while excluding emergency or medical calls. Properties typically include drug or party houses.
Bylaw enforcement is complaint-driven, impartial, and consistent. Declaring a nuisance property will involve a rigorous, multi-stage review by a working group with City and RCMP representation, which would consider repeated complaints and failed owner or occupier interventions. Only if Council approves the recommendation could the City recover costs for non-emergency RCMP, Fire, or Bylaw responses.
For more information, view the bylaws on the Regular Council Agenda for January 8, 2026, at campbellriver.civicweb.net.
Correspondence
Wounded Warrior Run BC
Council received correspondence from Jacqueline Zweng, Director, Wounded Warrior Run BC, regarding the 2026 event, which includes a run from Port Hardy to Victoria from February 22 to March 1, 2026. Mayor Dahl and Council received an invitation to meet the team in Campbell River on February 24, 2026, and awarded a $2,500 donation in support of the event.