Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.

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.

FINANCIAL UPDATES
2025-2034 Financial Plan Bylaw 
Council gave first, second and third readings to the 2025-2034 Ten Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 3984, 2024, on December 10, 2024, and adopted the bylaw at the Council meeting on December 12, 2024. The 2025-2034 Financial Plan and a 2.89 per cent tax increase were approved by Council on December 4, 2024, following budget deliberations. The tax increase equates to an approximate monthly increase of $5.75 per home, based on the average 2024 home price in Campbell River, and looks to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining core services.

The Draft 2025–2034 Financial Plan is available to view at campbellriver.ca/financial-plans, and the final, approved financial plan, reflecting all changes made by Council, will be available in this location in the coming weeks.  

Council gave first, second and third readings to User Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3976, 2024, on December 10, 2024, and adopted the bylaw at the Council meeting on December 12, 2024. The amendment bylaw includes within-policy fee increases of 2.8 per cent for water and 5.2 per cent for sanitary sewer, effective January 1, 2025. 

The City operates three utilities: water, sewer and solid waste (garbage, recycling and organics). Each utility is required to be financially self-sustaining; revenues must offset expenditures. Utility fees are set to cover operational costs, infrastructure renewal, and comply with legislated standards. Following a model where the person using the service pays for the service looks to promote fairness and encourage responsible resource use.

Council approved awarding Tender 24-69 Airport Fuel Systems Expansion to Aviation Ground Fueling Technologies Ltd., for $1,151,826 (excluding GST). Tender 24-69 was issued to support the addition of a 60,000-litre JET A-1 fuel storage tank and a 10,000-litre split fleet fuel storage tank at the City of Campbell River Airport. Funding will be provided through a combination of Provincial BC Air Access Program grant funding and City reserves. 

Council received an update about the implementation of Public Nuisance Amendment Bylaw No. 3965, 2024, which was adopted by Council on October 10, 2024. The bylaw permits temporary overnight shelters (camping), from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., year-round in a section of 900 Alder Street, City Hall, and seasonally, from November 1 to March 31, in a portion of 945 Island Highway, Robert Ostler Park.

Staff reported a low uptake of both locations, likely due a number of factors such as accessibility and proximity to services, limited privacy, and limited shelter from the elements. The availability of other options within the community, including winter shelter beds, the opening of Homewood and unsanctioned sheltering at other locations, may also be impacting the usage of these locations.

Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3975, 2024. This bylaw changes zoning along Dogwood Street/Dogwood Street South to permit increased densities and building height (up to 10 stories in the proposed Village Node). The bylaw incorporates Council and development-community feedback.

The City has received funding from the federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund, to support the development of more housing to address the community’s housing needs. As part of the funding agreement, the City committed to seven key initiatives. One of those commitments is incentivizing transit-oriented development in areas with frequent transit, such as along the Dogwood Corridor.

MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT
(Presented during the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 10, 2024.)
Council approved Council appointments to standing committees and external and internal boards and committees as recommended in a report from Mayor Kermit Dahl. The report is available on the December 10, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting agenda: https://campbellriver.civicweb.net/.   

Council approved a request from Landon Kimmel, Director, Western Educational Adventures Incorporated, and will write a letter of support for an application to the Passenger Transportation Board for a license to operate an intercity bus service from South Vancouver Island to Mount Cain. Campbell River is a stop on the proposed bus route.

BC Salmon Farmers Association Request for Involvement in the BC Salmon Farming Transition Plan 
Council supported sending a letter to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard regarding concerns with the current Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia. Copies were also shared with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), a task force led by ISED, and the BC Salmon Farmers Association. Through the letter, Council highlighted the negative impacts this plan will have on the local economy, employment, and community well-being, and noted that the current plan does not adequately address these impacts and the rapid transition. Council urged the federal government to reconsider the proposed timeline and work collaboratively with the provincial government, industry experts, and local communities to develop a transition plan that balances environmental sustainability with economic viability.

HIGHLIGHTS of DECEMBER 12 2024 COUNCIL MEETING - NEWS RELEASE