Printer VersionREGIONAL BOARD - NOTICE OF INAUGURAL MEETING

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Strathcona Regional District office located at #301 - 990 Cedar Street, Campbell River, BC commencing at 12:30 p.m.

         Section Who Votes How Vote Counted Voting Threshold
 
A. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM
 
B. CALL TO ORDER
 
C. ELECTION OF CHAIR
     ELECTION OF CHAIR
 
     The Corporate Officer called for nominations for the position of Chair. [Item]
 
     Director Chapman nominated Director Baker. Director Baker accepted the nomination with thanks.
 
     The Corporate Officer called a second and third time for nominations and there were none.
 
     Director Baker was declared elected by acclamation to the position of Chair.
 
 
D. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
     ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
 
     The Corporate Officer called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. [Item]
 
     Director Whalley nominated Director Vonesch. Director Vonesch accepted the nomination with thanks.

Alternate Director Smyth nominated Director Sinnott. Director Sinnott accepted the nomination with thanks.
 
     The Corporate Officer called for any further nominations and there were none.

A vote by secret ballot was held.
 
     Following the submission and counting of the ballots, no candidate could be declared elected due to failure to secure an absolute majority of 8 votes.
 
     A second round of voting by secret ballot was held.

Following the submission and counting of the ballots, no candidate could be declared elected due to failure to secure an absolute majority of 8 votes.
 
     Each nominee spoke briefly about their candidacy, following which a third round of voting was held.

Following the submission and counting of the ballots, no candidate could be declared elected due to failure to secure an absolute majority of 8 votes.
 
     The Corporate Officer advised that the Board may choose to proceed with a fourth round of voting or conclude the matter by conducting a lot draw.
 
     SRD 888/25

THAT the position of Vice-Chair be determined by lot draw between the two candidates.
 
     A lot draw was conducted and Director Vonesch was declared elected to the position of Vice Chair.
 
     Director Baker in the Chair.
 
 
E. FIRST NATIONS TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
     FIRST NATIONS TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 
     The Chair acknowledged that we are located on the traditional territory of the Laichwiltach people.
 
 
F. ADOPTION OF PUBLIC AGENDA
     ADOPTION OF PUBLIC AGENDA
 
     SRD 889/25

THAT the agenda for November 19, 2025 inaugural meeting of the Board be adopted as presented.
 
     SRD 890/25

THAT the agenda be amended to move the Director's Report entitled 'Recovery Support Services on the North Island' to immediately follow Petitions and Delegations.
 
 
G. PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
     PETITIONS AND DELEGATIONS
 
     BC Hydro - Campbell River System Capital Projects
 
     The Chair welcomed Stephen Watson, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Lead, who provided an update on BC Hydro’s seismic upgrade work at the John Hart, Ladore, and Strathcona dams. [Item]
 
     The Chair thanked Mr. Watson for his presentation.
 
     SRD 891/25

THAT the presentation be received.
 
     Men's Treatment and Second Stage Treatment
 
     The Chair welcomed Chris Camilleri who made a verbal presentation regarding men's treatment and the second stage treatment.
 
     The Chair thanked Mr. Camilleri for his verbal presentation.
 
     SRD 892/25

THAT the presentation be received.
 
     DIRECTORS' REPORTS
 
     Recovery Support Services on the North Island
 
     Director Kerr made a verbal report regarding recovery services and second stage housing for adult men.
 
     SRD 893/25

THAT staff prepare a report on the need for expanded bed based recovery services and second stage housing for adult men.
 
 
H. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
     ADOPTION OF MINUTES
 
     SRD 894/25

THAT the minutes of the regular meeting of the Regional Board held on October 22, 2025 be adopted.
 
 
I. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
     BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
 
1) Cortes Island Food Security Hub - Gas Tax Funding
 
     SRD 894/25

THAT Res. SRD 846/25 be brought back on the floor for reconsideration.
 
     SRD 846/25

THAT the 2025-2029 Financial Plan be amended to incorporate $28,000 from the Electoral Area B Community Works Fund to fund the Cortes Island Food Security Hub.
 
     SRD 895/25

THAT the matter be deferred pending staff securing written clarification from UBCM regarding whether Gas Tax Funding affects eligibility for future Strategic Priorities Fund applications.
 
 
J. PUBLIC CONSIDERATIONS
 
K. CHAIR'S REPORT
 
L. COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS
     COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS
 
     Electoral Areas Services Committee
 
     SRD 896/25

THAT the draft minutes of the meeting of the Electoral Areas Services Committee held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 be received.
 
     Alternate Director Smyth and Director Whalley left the meeting chambers.
 
     Committee of the Whole
 
     SRD 897/25

THAT the draft minutes of the meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 be received.
 
     Electoral Area C Advisory Planning Commission
 
     SRD 897/25

THAT the draft minutes of the meeting of the Electoral Area C Advisory Planning Commission held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 be received.
 
     Community Health and Wellness Committee
 
     SRD 898/25

THAT the draft minutes of the meeting of the Community Health and Wellness Committee held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 be received.
 
 
M. STAFF REPORTS
     STAFF REPORTS
 
     Registration of Section 219 Covenant on Read Island Properties
 
     SRD 899/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 900/25

THAT the Section 219 covenant attached to the November 19, 2025 report from the Chief Administrative Officer be approved, and

THAT the Chair and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the covenant on behalf of the Regional District.
 
     Director Chapman left the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Electoral Area D Stormwater Management
 
     SRD 901/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 902/25

THAT the supplementary report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 903/25

THAT the contract for the Electoral Area D Stormwater System Design Catchment C and Oyster River Rest Area be awarded to ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd in the amount of $136,674 (excluding GST) for the core project and Option Scope 1, and

THAT the project be funded entirely using Electoral Area D gas tax funds.
 
     Director Whalley returned to the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Electoral Area D Transit Shelters
 
     SRD 904/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 905/25

THAT the Regional District proceed with construction in 2026 of transit shelters at Shelter Bay Resort and Engles Road using existing funds in the Electoral Area D transit service.
 
     Director Chapman returned to the meeting chambers.

Director Lanyon left the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Grant Opportunity: Emergency Support Services
 
     SRD 906/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     Director Rice left the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     SRD 907/25

THAT an application to the November 2025 Emergency Support Services grant program be submitted for enhancing the provision of Emotional Support during an emergency; and

THAT the Regional District commit to overall management of the grant if the application is successful.
 
     Director Chapman and Alternate Director Smyth returned to the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Zeballos Forest Service Road - Single Maintenance Model
 
     SRD 908/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     Director Lanyon and Director Rice returned to the meeting chambers.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Director Sinnott declared a conflict due to business reasons and left the meeting chambers.
 
     SRD 909/25

THAT the matter be deferred.
 
     Director Sinnott returned to the meeting chambers.
 
     Grant Opportunity - Computer Aided Dispatch Systems
 
     SRD 910/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 911/25

THAT an application to the 2026 Next Generation 911 grant program be approved for enhancing Computer Automated Dispatch capacity of the Quadra Island and Cortes Island Fire Departments; and

THAT the Regional District commit to overall management of the grant if the application is successful.
 
     Calendar of Board and Committee Meetings for 2026
 
     SRD 912/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 913/25

THAT the supplemental report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 914/25

THAT the Board's calendar of meetings for 2026 be approved based on the schedule attached to the November 18, 2025 supplementary report from the Chief Administrative Officer.
 
     RECESS
 
     The Chair recessed the meeting at 2:08 p.m.
 
     RECONVENE
 
     The meeting reconvened at 2:20 p.m. with all members present.
 
     STAFF REPORTS (cont.)
 
     December 2025 Board Meeting Schedule
 
     SRD 915/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 916/25

THAT the schedule of meetings and events outlined in the November 12, 2025 report from the Chief Administrative Officer be approved for December 10, 2025 with the Electoral Areas Services Committee to start at 10:00 a.m.
 
     2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Surplus Report
 
     SRD 917/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     The Chief Financial Officer made a presentation on the 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Surplus Report.
 
     A vote was held on the pending motion and it was…
 
     Appointment of Election Officials - 2026 General Local Elections
 
     SRD 918/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 919/25

THAT Edith Elizabeth Watson, Manager of Corporate Operations, and Betty Ann Wasyliw, Corporate Services Assistant, be appointed as the Chief Election Officer and Deputy Chief Election Officer respectively, for the Regional District's 2026 general local elections.
 
     Policy CP-039 (Employee Service Recognition)
 
     SRD 920/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 921/25

THAT Policy CP-039 [Recognition of Employee Service] be approved, and

THAT the policy entitled 'Long Service/Retirement Recognition Program' made effective by the Comox-Strathcona Regional District on December 16, 1999 be revoked.
 
     Receipt of Petitions - Policy Alternatives
 
     SRD 922/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 923/25

THAT the policy regulating the receipt of petitions by the Board be amended to remove the ban on electronic petitions being received by the Board.
 
     Regional District Policy Review (Part 4)
 
     SRD 924/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 925/25

THAT the matter be referred to the Electoral Areas Services Committee for consideration.
 
     Invoices Over Staff Signing Authority - Payment Authorization
 
     SRD 926/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 927/25

THAT Invoice No. 20460 dated October 31, 2025 in the amount of $360,311.28 from Edgett Excavating Ltd. for work done on the Electoral Area D Universal Water Metering project be approved for payment.
 
     SRD 928/25

THAT Invoice No. 589 dated October 31, 2025 in the amount of $311,033.29 from Broadstreet Properties Ltd. for work done on the construction of the Just Like Home project be approved for payment.
 
     Temporary Use Permits as Housing Supports
 
     SRD 929/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 930/25

THAT a report be prepared on the topic of temporary use permits being used by local government to support tiny home and recreational vehicle living accommodations and returned to the Electoral Areas Services Committee for consideration.
 
     Heritage Conservation Act Amendments
 
     SRD 931/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     Request for Financial Assistance - Quadra Island Conservancy and Stewardship Society
 
     SRD 932/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 933/25

THAT a grant in aid for the Quadra Island Conservancy and Stewardship Society be paid from the Electoral Area C grant in aid budget in the amount of $1,340 to assist with liability insurance costs.
 
 
N. BYLAWS
     BYLAWS
 
     Bylaw No. 598 - Cortes Island Zoning Bylaw
 
     SRD 934/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 935/25

THAT the report on the public hearing for Bylaw No. 598 and all related records be received.
 
     SRD 936/25

THAT Bylaw No. 598 be given third reading.
 
     SRD 937/25

THAT Bylaw No. 598, being Cortes Island Zoning Bylaw 2025, be reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.
 
     Bylaw No. 625 - Oyster Riverbank Protection
 
     SRD 938/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 939/25

THAT third reading of Bylaw No. 625 be rescinded.
 
     SRD 940/25

THAT subsection (1) of section 1 of Bylaw No. 625 be amended by inserting the words “as set out in Bylaw No. 1171” so that the subsection reads as follows:

"(1) The boundaries of the service as set out in Bylaw No. 1171 are hereby amended to include all that area shown outlined in bold on Appendix ‘A’, attached to and forming part of this bylaw."
 
     SRD 941/25

THAT Bylaw No. 625 he given third reading as amended.
 
     Bylaw No. 627 - Woodchipping and Climate Resiliency Service
 
     SRD 942/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 943/25

THAT Bylaw No. 627, being a bylaw to authorize the provision of a woodchipping and climate resiliency service within part of the Regional District, be now introduced and read a first time.
 
     SRD 944/25

THAT the rules be suspended and Bylaw No. 627 be given second and third readings.
 
     SRD 945/25

THAT elector approval of Bylaw No. 627 be authorized to be obtained by assent voting to be held in conjunction with the 2026 general local elections, and

THAT the results of the vote in each electoral area be combined for the purpose of determining if electoral approval has been obtained throughout the proposed service area.
 
     Bylaw No. 628 - Director Compensation Amendment
 
     SRD 946/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 947/25

THAT Bylaw No. 628, being a bylaw to amend the compensation provisions for directors on the Regional Board, be now introduced and read a first time.
 
     SRD 948/25

THAT the rules be suspended and Bylaw No. 628 be given second and third readings.
 
     SRD 949/25

THAT Bylaw No. 628, being Director Compensation Bylaw 2013, Amendment No. 12, be now reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.
 
 
O. CORRESPONDENCE
     CORRESPONDENCE
 
     SRD 950/25

THAT the following items be received:
 
     Adoption and Permanency Awareness
 
     - October 31, 2025 correspondence from the Minister of Children and Family Development regarding Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month.
 
     Strathcona Dam Access Road
 
     - November 3, 2025 media release from BC Hydro regarding the closure of the Strathcona Dam access road.
 
     Heritage Conservation Act
 
     - November 13, 2025 media release from the Union of BC Municipalities regarding proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act.
 
     Population Health Statistics
 
     - November 13, 2025 report from Island Health regarding Population Health Statistics.
 
     Professional Reliance Act
 
     - November 14, 2025 correspondence from George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville regarding Private Members Bill M216 Professional Reliance Act.
 
     Electoral Area Land Use Planning
 
     SRD 951/25

THAT the following items regarding the electoral area planning service be received:
 
     - October 17, 2025 correspondence from Claudia Lake
 
     - October 21, 2025 correspondence from Mnik Miskolzie
 
     - October 28, 2025 correspondence from Kendall Foster
 
     - October 30, 2025 correspondence from Barbara Mindell.
 
     Request for Financial Assistance - Campbell River Partners for Animal Welfare
 
     SRD 952/25

THAT the October 21, 2025 correspondence from Director Rice and the Campbell River Partners for Animal Welfare regarding a financial assistance request be received.
 
     SRD 953/25

THAT the Board approve a $4,000 regional grant in aid to Campell River Partners for Animal Welfare (CRPAWS) Society to assist with the reduction of roaming stray and abandoned cats.
 
     Climate Leadership Funding Request
 
     SRD 954/25

THAT the October 30, 2025 correspondence from the VICC Climate Leadership Steering Committee regarding a request for funding be received.
 
     SRD 955/25

THAT $4,200 be provided to the Vancouver Island Climate Leadership Steering Committee to be paid from the Regional Grant in Aid funds.
 
     Appointment of VIRL Executive Director
 
     SRD 956/25

THAT the November 3, 2025 correspondence from the Vancouver Island Regional Library regarding the appointment of an executive director be received.
 
     VIRL Funding Formula
 
     SRD 957/25

THAT the November 6, 2025 correspondence from the City of Port Alberni regarding the funding model for the Vancouver Island Regional Library be received.
 
     Mobile Home Park Classification
 
     SRD 958/25

THAT the November 12, 2025 correspondence from the Province of BC regarding the classification of mobile home parks be received.
 
 
P. DIRECTORS' REPORTS
     DIRECTORS' REPORTS
 
     Medical Profession Recruitment
 
     SRD 881/25

THAT the Regional District investigate the feasibility of establishing a Regional Primary Care Support Service under the Local Government Act to assist with recruitment, retention, and administrative support for family physicians and other primary care providers within the Strathcona Regional District; and

1. THAT the investigation include consultation with:
- other Ministry of Health to determine required statutory or policy permissions for regional participation in health service delivery,
- Island Health regarding partnership frameworks and alignment with existing Primary Care Network and Attachment initiatives, and
- the Campbell River & District Division of Family Practice and other local medical stakeholders to identify needs, barriers, and opportunities; and

2. THAT the scope of the review include:
- potential service models, including regional hub or hybrid distributed models;
- estimated administrative support costs (e.g., approximately $8,000 per physician per month);
- governance and risk-management frameworks, including the use of indemnification and liability protection under the Local Government Act;
- possible funding and cost-sharing mechanisms with Island Health, the Ministry of Health, or participating municipalities; and
- any required legislative or regulatory amendments or ministerial approvals; and

3. THAT staff report back to the Board with findings, options, and recommendations for next steps, including potential service establishment processes, by Spring 2026; and further

4. THAT the Chair be authorized to communicate the Board’s intent to explore a collaborative regional approach to primary care access with the Minister of Health, the Chair of Island Health, and the Campbell River Division of Family Practice.
 
 
Q. NEW BUSINESS
 
R. ADDENDUM ITEMS
 
S. CLOSED SESSION
     CLOSED SESSION
 
     SRD 959/25

THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer be received.
 
     SRD 960/25

THAT the meeting be closed to the public to consider matters deemed to fall within the parameters of subsections 90(1)(a), (e), (n), (o), 90(2)(b) and (c) of the Community Charter.
 
 
T. TERMINATION
     RECONVENE
 
     The meeting reconvened in public at 4:17 p.m. with all participating members present.
 
     RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
 
     While in closed session the Board passed a resolution to release the following information to the public:
 
     Connected Coast Board Appointment
 
     SRD 964/25

THAT Thomas Darcie be reappointed for a one-year term as a director of the Strathcona Connected Coast Network Corporation.
 
     Ombudsperson Complaint - Riparian Area Regulations (Quadra Island)
 
     SRD 966/25

THAT the Regional District request an exemption from the Riparian Area Regulation.
 
     Community Health Network Contract
 
     SRD 968/25

THAT the Community Health and Wellness Committee be identified as an independent external committee that the SRD participates in only through Director appointments.
 
     TERMINATION
 
     SRD 970/25

THAT the November 19, 2025 inaugural meeting of the Regional Board be terminated.
 
     Time: 4:17 p.m.

Certified Correct:



_______________________________________
Chair


_______________________________________
Corporate Officer