Tag Archives: City of Campbell River

Politics

Area B Director’s Report: Campbell River Controlling Land use Decisions on Cortes?

By Regional Director Mark Vonesch

I am writing with an important call to action on an issue which could have a huge impact on the autonomy of our community.

Campbell River City Council is considering joining the SRD’s Electoral Area planning service. This is a service which controls all of the land use decisions on Cortes: this includes zoning, bylaws, and our Official Community Plan. If they join, Campbell River could approve developments or bylaws on Cortes that override the wishes of our community.

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Development, Housing, Politics

SRD Staff to identify public lands on Quadra for potential affordable housing sites

SRD staff will prepare a staff report identifying public lands on Quadra Island that may be available for affordable housing development.

This is the second time that Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C brought forward a motion asking for a report and in both cases she was opposed by Directors from Campbell River and Area D. They successfully blocked it at the August 20th SRD Board meeting, but an amended motion passed on September 17, 2025.

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Politics

Area C Director’s Report: Municipalities interested in Electoral Area Planning + wood-chipping service update

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
The seasons are turning and the cozy joys of autumn are close at hand. This report has news about municipal interest in joining the electoral area planning service, and progress towards a wood-chipping service in collaboration with Cortes Island.

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Politics

SRD Municipalities wanting control of the Electoral Areas Planning Service

In the past, Rural Directors have not always appreciated Campbell River ‘interference’ in their affairs. An initiative coming out of the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Municipal Services Committee could result in a lot more interference from Campbell River and other municipalities. A planning service typically manages zoning and land use rules, reviews development and building applications, prepares community and regional growth plans, protects environmentally sensitive areas, and coordinates public input on land use decisions. They would like to take control of the Electoral Area Planning Service.

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Forests

BC’s Coastal Forestry Crisis Demands Immediate ActionCommunities Like Campbell River Can’t Wait

Open letter from Kermit Dahl, the Mayor of Campbell River, to Premier David Eby (reprinted as public information)

Dear Premier Eby,
When you reshuffled your cabinet on July 17, you pledged to “protect jobs and the economy” and to “grow a resilient economy.” Those words ring hollow for thousands of coastal forestry workers watching their industry collapse—not from market forces, but from policy paralysis and regulatory misfires.

Since 2019, harvest volumes on the coast have dropped by over 40%. More than 5,400 direct jobs have disappeared since 2022. Mills have closed. Communities have lost critical tax revenue. And the situation is
worsening.

Continue reading BC’s Coastal Forestry Crisis Demands Immediate ActionCommunities Like Campbell River Can’t Wait →