Rising taxes and affordability were among the concerns raised during North Cowichan council’s review of its 2026 budget.
The municipality plans to increase property taxes over the next five years in stages to address what it describes as uncontrollable costs. Rob Saare, a North Cowichan resident, said he moved to the municipality because it was affordable and now worries he will not be able to retire if rates continue to rise.
Saare said council needs to rein in spending.
“I need to come up with another $5,000 this year to pay for my property taxes, and forego investing in my retirement,” he said. “I don’t have a golden pension package, so I now have to make decisions at home, and why don’t staff and council and get on an austerity program?”
Saare said the proposed 8.42 per cent increase will hit seniors hardest and, combined with mill closures and layoffs in North Cowichan, could create financial hardship for many residents.
“I am worried about people losing their homes, and this can have a domino effect,” he said.
Council also heard support for elements of the budget. Mayor Rob Douglas said staff will compile feedback and return to council with recommendations before the budget is finalized in May.
“Staff will now take all that input and summarize it and likely come back to council next week,” he said. “We can either stick with the 8.42 per cent, trim it down further, or add to it, but whatever happens it’s going to be a bit of a challenge.
“We’re trying to make things as affordable as we can for our residents, but we have pressures on the municipality that we have to deal with.”
The municipality is facing an estimated $4.1 million in uncontrollable costs, along with an expected revenue loss of $820,000 tied to the Crofton mill closure.
Some residents in the gallery also supported council’s decision to include aeration of Quamichan Lake in the budget.
An open house was held Tuesday, Feb. 24 to give residents a chance to learn more about the budget.
