municipal politics

Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, top right, North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring, bottom left, Saltair director Lynne Smith and Diamond-North Oyster director Ben Maartman answer the Chronicle’s questions about the year that’s passed and the year ahead. (Photos submitted and by Duck Paterson)

Ladysmith leaders look back, look forward

Chronicle contributor Duck Paterson catches up with local government officials

  • Jan 1, 2022

 

North Cowichan and eight other local governments on south Vancouver Island have sent a latter to B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth (pictured) raising concerns about plans to download the costs of police dispatching in the region. (File photo)

North Cowichan, 7 south Island local governments take exception to downloaded police costs

Colwood, Ladysmith, Langford, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, and View Royal

 

Ladysmith town council meets in person for its regular meeting on Oct. 19. Members of the public may attend meetings at City Hall. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Ladysmith council continues to meet in person, makes public attendance easier

Special meetings can still be virtual

 

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)
The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)

City of Duncan eliminates town crier position

Cites “increased awareness of historical injustices” as reason

The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)
Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Removal of graveside items by B.C. cemetery staff deemed ‘disrespectful’

Municipal cemetery removes all adornments from gravesites with little notice

Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino set to charge for parking at public beaches

Fees will be charged at roughly 10 locations including Chesterman Beach

Tofino plans to launch a pay-parking system around its public beaches, including this lot at Chesterman Beach. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)

Bonfires out, but machine-powered beach fires still OK in Tofino

Vancouver Island’s best-known beach community limits on public beaches to appliance fires only

Portable appliances, like this one perched between Tofino mayor Dan Law and David Schmidt, are now mandatory for anyone wanting to have a beach fire in Tofino. (Photo courtesy of Dan Law)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)

B.C. municipality to take no action against councillor who posted sexist meme

Tek Manhas’s meme doesn’t violate North Cowichan council’s code of conduct, municipality concludes

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)

B.C. councillor facing review over sexist meme posted to Facebook

‘Less bitchen’ more kitchen’: North Cowichan’s Tek Manhas apologizes for post

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)
Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)

Petition calls for policing commitment in Chemainus to be honoured

Former detachment member leads the charge in making the municipality and RCMP accountable

Police presence in Chemainus in an actual building is limited to South Island Highway Patrol on Chemainus Road. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)
Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)

Rural B.C. mayor urged to resign after Facebook post against Indigenous people, pipelines

The mayor is refusing to quit, saying the post was taken out of context

Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)
Seven streets in downtown Duncan, including Station Street, will soon have new native names added to their signage. (Submitted graphic)

New Duncan street signs will be in English and Hul’q’umi’num

Seven streets to get additional names in First Nations language

Seven streets in downtown Duncan, including Station Street, will soon have new native names added to their signage. (Submitted graphic)
A large film studio project is being proposed for the Malahat. Pictured is a graphic of the project. (Submitted graphic)

Huge film studio development proposed for Malahat Nation lands

Project estimated to provide about 1,500 jobs

A large film studio project is being proposed for the Malahat. Pictured is a graphic of the project. (Submitted graphic)
Qualicum Beach Coun. Robert Filmer. (PQB News file photo)

Qualicum Beach councillor takes medical leave, citing ‘toxic’ town hall environment

Filmer to step away for two months to reflect and get ‘re-energized’

Qualicum Beach Coun. Robert Filmer. (PQB News file photo)
Jon Lefebure went back to construction after losing the 2018 mayor’s post in North Cowichan to work on the Cottages On Willow. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Former North Cowichan mayor retools priorities with construction project

Fresh air a benefit and satisfaction results from building eight-unit housing complex

Jon Lefebure went back to construction after losing the 2018 mayor’s post in North Cowichan to work on the Cottages On Willow. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The CVRD will reconsider its policies on fireworks after receiving complaints. (File photo)

Cowichan Valley Regional District considers options for fireworks after complaints

Distict only allows fireworks on Halloween and New Year’s Eve, with a permit

The CVRD will reconsider its policies on fireworks after receiving complaints. (File photo)
Court quashed the decision last year by North Cowichan to deny the VIMC a permit for its $36-million expansion plans. (File photo)

Court quashes North Cowichan’s decision to deny expansion at Motorsport track

Municipality ordered to reassess rezoning application

Court quashed the decision last year by North Cowichan to deny the VIMC a permit for its $36-million expansion plans. (File photo)
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said financial penalties for council members found to be engaging in bad behaviour is a good deterrent. (File photo)

North Cowichan council members face financial ding for bad behaviour

Penalties part of new code of conduct

North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said financial penalties for council members found to be engaging in bad behaviour is a good deterrent. (File photo)
Vanderhoof municipal office. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Public, media blocked from council meetings in northern B.C. town for months

Other councils in region use video conferencing, as government says cities required to follow transparency rules

Vanderhoof municipal office. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)