(Part One of the March 18, 2026 Area B Director’s Report )
By Regional Director Mark Vonesch
I’m really excited to share this newsletter with you. I have the results from the housing survey, but before we get to that, Cortes Island just had a big political win.
Campbell River’s Considerations of Joining the Electoral Area Land Use Planning Service
As you know last September Campbell River urged the SRD board to consider having municipalities join the Electoral Area land use planning service. At the cost of almost $500,000/year to Campbell River tax payers, it would have given all of Cortes Island’s land use planning decisions (bylaws, zoning, official community plan etc) over to a majority control of Campbell River directors.
I immediately raised the issue at UBCM, a yearly conference that allows local government representatives to meet with the provincial government and booked a meeting with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs who oversees the Local Government Act. I discovered the only way to stop it (without amending the Local Government Act) was to put pressure on Campbell River not to join our service.
Working with fellow Regional Directors Robyn Mawhinney and Gerald Whalley, we informed you all, put out press releases, and encouraged everyone to stand together.
CBC did a radio news piece:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CortesIsland/posts/24351620824510256/
The Campbell River Mirror wrote an article:
https://campbellrivermirror.com/2025/10/03/electoral-area-directors-up-in-arms-as-campbell-river-mulls-joining-rural-planning-service/
Cortes Currents released an indepth article:
https://cortescurrents.ca/srd-municipalities-wanting-control-of-the-electoral-areas-planning-service/
In addition to the media attention, Campbell River City Council received approximately 100 letters from their own residents and business owners telling them it was a waste of their tax dollars, especially with so many local issues needing funding.
I learned in our last SRD board meeting that Campbell River has officially decided NOT to join our planning service and it was because of the pressure we created together!
A lot of you reached out to your friends in Campbell River, informed them of what was going on, and encouraged them to write to their city council. This was a team effort and I am so grateful to live in a community that is willing to take action together. Thank you!
Top image credit: Taken from