We’re Ready to Vote. Are you?
How we Prepared
We've done our research, watched countless municipal council meetings, studied voting records of those seeking re-election, attended all-candidates meetings, and scrutinized what candidates have publicly stated. We encourage you to check out the voting records of candidates up for re-election — they’re on our website. That’ll help you get beyond election slogans to see how council members actually voted.
What We’re Thinking
The rural splendour of North Cowichan is why we enjoy living here. To save it means fighting sprawl and traffic, and accommodating growth where infrastructure already exists. This keeps taxes and our infrastructure debt lower. Young families, seniors on a fixed income, and other locals need affordable housing, not $1 million homes in the countryside that candidates across the aisle favour. Our community is grappling with ways to attract industry and grow jobs, along with its tax base. The closing of the Crofton mill has devastated affected families, and impacted our local economy. We’re in a complex time and need competent people with talent and integrity making decisions.
Our recommended candidates share common ground on the importance of our Official Community Plan to maintain our rural lands, save farmlands, and enhance our food security, along with diversifying our economy. But more than that, these individuals bring complementary skills, knowledge, and backgrounds, as well as a dedication to transparency that will make our council better than ever.
All of them are independent thinkers who have established their own separate platforms that reflect their different backgrounds, skills, and informed strategies for thoughtful, fair and fact-based governance. We have never communicated with any of them regarding our advertisements or our selection process, which are based solely on our independent criteria for wise leadership.
Who We’re Voting For – and Why
Mayor Rob Douglas
We need his steady hand. With his mastery of the issues that face our community, he could immediately take the initiative to develop opportunities and help unemployed mill workers. Rob led our progress on affordable housing, pushed for transparent government by proposing developer donation disclosures by council members (which was postponed again, until after the election), and forged a council that works despite political divisions. He created an economic diversification committee to attract new investments and has strongly advocated with senior levels of government on homelessness and other critical concerns. He spearheaded council deliberations to reduce tax rates where possible. All the while, he votes to protect our watersheds and the environment.
Councillor Christopher Justice
He has demonstrated thoughtful and creative approaches to problem-solving at the council table and takes the long view. This includes his emphasis on getting good value for taxes residents pay —evident when he proposed a motion to compare tax rates in North Cowichan vs. those of similar jurisdictions, asking for financial impact reports on proposed developments, and focusing on our big infrastructure deficit. Christopher has voted for protecting our natural environment including farmland, value added wood manufacturing, and emphasizing wildfire resilience.
Councillor Chris Istace
A small business owner and proud resident of Chemainus, he’s rightfully concerned about our huge infrastructure debt. Chris stands for transparent government, eco-tourism, and the environment. He taps into his business acumen to analyze budgets and financial decisions, and advocates for affordable housing. He’s strong on consultations with local First Nations before decisions are made affecting their communities, including the future of the municipal forest.
Krystal Adams
With more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning and business growth, Krystal possesses deep local and business community knowledge. She’s for scrutinizing our tax dollars and making them work harder, and revitalizing our communities while seeking more ways to communicate with residents.
Don Allingham
He’s a successful, pragmatic, and plain-spoken farmer and businessman. Don has lived and farmed by the Chemainus River his entire life. He listens to others and knows when to change course. He’s big on caring for our land, our lakes, and rivers. He’s committed to keeping taxes low, encouraging affordable housing and speaking up for residents who feel unheard.
Derek Masselink
Besides being a farmer, Derek is an ecologist, and an agrologist who has a background as an Islands Trustee. Through his training and work, he understands watershed and land use planning, sustainable agriculture, and how the different levels of government function. To top it off, he has deep First Nations knowledge and experience. He wants to strengthen the local economy while caring for the land and water that support it.
Valerie Russell
She’s determined to give back to the community she has called home for many decades and where she has run a local neighbourhood Facebook page with thousands of members. As a scientist, and retired local teacher and principal, she’ll bring insights into the crucial ecological decisions facing North Cowichan like managing our Municipal Forest Reserve, improving the health of our watersheds, preparing for wildfires, and more.
We hope you find our recommendations helpful. Don’t forget to vote on October 17
Or on the early voting dates of October 7 and 13.
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