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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.

Council received a staff report outlining the 2026 Financial Planning process, scheduled to begin on December 3, 2025, and requested that a draft 2026-2035 Financial Plan that falls within policy be brought forward to the upcoming financial planning deliberations. The City continues to implement a robust long-term financial planning framework, guided by the Community Charter and Council policies, including the Financial Stability and Resiliency Policy. Building on the success of previous award-winning financial plans, the 2026 plan will align the annual 10-year financial plan with corporate needs and Council’s strategic priorities. It will incorporate feedback from Council and the community, with a focus on rethinking service delivery to reduce the tax burden while supporting organizational goals.

2026 Permissive Tax Exemption Recommendations
Council gave third reading to Permissive Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 3998, 2025, and approved amending the bylaw to award permissive tax exemptions of 100 per cent for Rivercity Players, North Island 911 Corporation and St. Peter Anglican Church. 

The City’s Permissive Tax Exemption (PTE) program supports local organizations that operate community arts, culture, recreation, social, emergency, and spiritual facilities and programs that enhance quality of life in Campbell River.

For 2026, the City received 114 PTE applications, which were reviewed using the new Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) eligibility and evaluation criteria. Following Council direction and informed by staff recommendations:

Throughout 2024, the City developed and adopted the FAP, which consolidates policies for grants, PTEs, and leases into a single framework. The policy streamlines processes, improves transparency and accountability, and expands financial assistance across sectors. To ease the transition, staff engaged with organizations throughout 2024 and 2025 to help local charities and non-profits build financial resilience.

Community feedback received through public consultation and correspondence received were considered by Council. PTEs must be approved by bylaw and submitted to BC Assessment by October 31, 2025, in accordance with the Community Charter. 

Council approved a Major Development Permit application for the construction of a five-storey, 36-unit multi-family residential building at 1409 16th Avenue. 

The application is requesting to reduce the minimum parking requirements from 75 to 51—two fewer than recommended by a parking study. To help offset the reduction, the study suggests implementing Transportation Demand Management measures, including providing communal bikes on-site. These measures will be secured through a parking covenant.

The location of the proposed bike parking area would remove access for vehicles to 1500 Dogwood. Therefore, an easement agreement is required to provide access to 1500 Dogwood over 1409 16th Avenue. The parking covenant and easement agreement are intended to be entered into and registered on title prior to Development Permit issuance. 

A financial security in the amount of $53,482.50, representing 125 per cent of the landscape cost estimate, must be deposited before a building permit is issued.

Council denied Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3997, 2025 to rezone a portion of 4200 Island Highway and a hooked parcel at 4405 Island Highway from Rural Two (RU-2) zone to Industrial Two (I-2) zone with site-specific permitted industrial uses. 

Community Safety

Council directed staff to require the owner of the property at 195 Strathcona Way 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.

Delegations/Presentations

Council heard a presentation from Sarah Willie, Manager of Solid Waste Planning and Policy Development, Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM), with an update about the work CSWM is doing to update its Solid Waste Management Plan.

Council received the CSWM Solid Waste Management plan update report for information. The report is available on the Committee of the Whole Agenda for October 7, 2025, at campbellriver.civicweb.net. 

They have and continue to gather public feedback on those strategies and actions; three engagement events were held in Campbell River in September 2025 and a survey remains open for input until October 16, 2025. For more information, visit www.cswm.ca/solidwaste. 

2025 Campbell River Canada Day Celebrations
Council received a presentation from Carol Chapman and Ian Baikie, Campbell River Canada Day Committee, with a recap of the 2025 Campbell River Canada Day celebrations. The committee acknowledged the City of Campbell River’s continued support of the festivities, alongside the many contributions from across the community that help make Canada Day a success. Mayor and Council acknowledged Carol Chapman and thanked her for her dedication to this much-loved community event.

Mayor Kermit Dahl reflected on the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Victoria, which City Council and staff attended from September 22 to 26, 2025. Campbell River joined communities from across British Columbia to advocate for shared priorities and build stronger partnerships. Chief Chris Roberts, Wei Wai Kum First Nation, and Chief Ronnie Chickite, We Wai Kai Nation, joined the City at UBCM, underscoring a shared commitment to working together to advance collaborative economic development opportunities.

Campbell River hosted and participated in high-profile events, such as the Mayor’s Panel: United Mayors, One Message and Resource Works’ networking event, that showcased the importance of resource communities. Campbell River also took a leading role in advocating for the economic sustainability of resource-dependent communities. UBCM endorsed a City of Campbell River resolution, “Inclusion of Rural and Resource Communities in Provincial Economic Decision-Making”. The resolution was also supported by other municipalities. Meetings with Premier David Eby and Ministers Ravi Parmar, Randene Neill and Jagrup Brar reinforced Council’s call for sustainable access to natural resources, support for innovation, and meaningful inclusion of local governments in discussions.

Mayor Dahl expressed deep concern over the recent rise in overdose deaths in Campbell River and extended heartfelt condolences to all those affected. He emphasized the need for increased resources and supports for vulnerable residents and called for stronger partnerships and funding from provincial and federal governments.

Dahl highlighted recent progress that has been made through advocacy efforts, including the delivery and expansion of services at Homewood Road and the securing of $10.4 million from the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund to help address the housing crisis.

While the 2025 Point in Time Homeless Count shows that homelessness has decreased in Campbell River—from 197 individuals in 2023 to 174 in 2025—Mayor Dahl acknowledged this as a positive step but stressed that more support is needed. He noted that addressing the toxic drug crisis and homelessness requires coordinated efforts beyond the City’s mandate, including significant investment from other levels of government responsible for health and social services.

The City continues to advocate for the support Campbell River needs and is developing long-term strategies to better connect vulnerable residents with government and non-profit resources.

Council approved a request from Service Officer Alain Chatigny CD, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137, for the Royal Canadian Air Force Display Unit to fly by downtown Campbell River on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The flyby will take place around 11 a.m., during the Campbell River Remembrance Day Ceremonies. 

Council and Committee Meeting Highlights - October 7 and 9 2025 - News Release