CVRD protestors demand repeal of Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw

Residents protesting changes to the Official Community Plan in Duncan are calling on the Cowichan Valley Regional District to engage the public and halt a draft zoning bylaw. 

The plan has drawn opposition both in person and on social media, with farmers, residents and businesses urging the regional district to reconsider. 

Dennis Comeau, general manager of Top Shelf Feeds, attended a rally outside the CVRD office on Ingram Street. He said pushing the bylaw forward without public engagement puts several aspects of daily life at risk. 

“This is about B.C. food security,” Comeau said. “We learned a lot during the pandemic where we were short of food, and a lot of our backyard growers were the ones who brought food to the table,” 

Comeau also said food can be produced through several avenues and that limiting residents to six chickens could affect the local food supply. 

“We’re 94 per cent short on chicken demand,” he said. “These backyard growers only service six per cent of the population, and they’re supporting families across the region.” 

Comeau said the CVRD is not considering public feedback. Savannah Wright, a South Duncan resident, said she agrees. 

Wright said the more than 300-page bylaw is causing concern among residents and added that moving it forward without public consultation should raise alarm among Cowichan Valley residents. 

“This massive local protest happened within days because people are nervous,” Wright said. “People are scared and they’re not trusting the local representatives, because we’ve spoke up numerous times, but they seem to do what they want anyway.” 

Wright said removing the ability for residents to support one another through local food production shows disregard for the community. 

“We’re in a crisis where people are struggling to put food on their table,” she said. “It’s frustrating to hear they’re taking away an option for people to feed themselves nutritious, home-based food, who are less reliant on the system and have control over their food supply. 

“Rural life doesn’t want to be regulated.” 

An estimated 300 to 400 people attended the rally. Tek Manhas, a municipally appointed representative from North Cowichan, said he hopes the demonstration will prompt discussion. 

“There are directors who are stuck in their ways and who were dead set on getting the OCP they wanted,” he said. “I hope the rally makes a difference, but I don’t think it will.” 

The CVRD is scheduled to meet this afternoon (April 1) to discuss the comprehensive zoning bylaw.