North Cowichan Mayor says forest reserve, Official Community Plan factored into Saturday's election defeat of four right-of-centre councillors
'There was a tremendous response from the public, overwhelmingly against making harvesting a priority'
North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas says an attempt to renew logging of the Municipal Forest Reserve and repeated undermining of the Official Community Plan were factors in the defeat of four right-of-centre candidates in Saturday's municipal election.
Councillors Bruce Findlay, Tek Manhas, Mike Caljouw and Becky Hogg had sought to make renewed logging of the forest reserve a strategic priority in 2026.
Hundreds of people wrote letters in opposition.
Halalt Chief James Thomas said he was shocked and dismayed at the logging proposal.
Council decided against the idea pending talks with First Nations on a forest co-management agreement. (https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/51222b92-cc03-488a-8b9d-6ddad0409829 )
Douglas told Six Mountains on Sunday: "The community certainly mobilized against that. There was a tremendous response from the public, overwhelmingly against making harvesting a priority."
He also said that the electorate was concerned that the four councillors had repeatedly voted to amend the Official Community Plan of 2022 to support development applications.
"Our Official Community Plan is our road map to guide growth and development," Douglas said. "Our residents across North Cowichan put a lot of time and effort into developing that document.
"We've seen over the last year and a half that the majority on council has made a number of decisions to undermine it.
"Residents said loud and clear, with last night's election, that they want to stick to our long-term plan.
"It means accommodating growth but also protecting our rural character and environmentally sensitive lands."
(Mayor Rob Douglas)
Douglas was elected to a second four-year term as mayor, scoring 63 per cent of the vote to easily defeat newcomer Chris Wilkinson, a "holistic business coach."
Manhas had been on council since 2018, Findlay and Caljouw since 2022, and Hogg since a byelection in April 2025, winning by 67 votes.
(clockwise from top left: Findlay, Manhas, Caljouw, Hogg)
"I would say that contributed to the result," Douglas said.
Voters on Saturday opted for more progressive candidates.
Incumbent councillors Christopher Justice and Chris Istace were returned to office, along with four newcomers — Don Allingham, Valerie Russell, Krystal Adams and Derek Masselink.
(Clockwise from top left: Allingam, Russell, Adams, Masselink)
Allingham — a straight-shooting Chemainus farmer who spoke the fewest words — topped the polls for a council seat.
Said Douglas: "We have a great mix of returning and new councillors around the table. A lot of strong candidates stepped forward."
The election results have implications for the future of the Municipal Forest Reserve, based on the responses to election questionnaires from candidates who were elected.
Read more: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/2da96501-484c-446f-a5c9-fb4e9f934c2d
During their brief majority on council, the four right-of-centre candidates faced criticism for not listening to the public, including on the 2023 results of a consultation process showed overwhelming public support for conservation management options in the forest reserve.
Douglas said the results of the consultation process should be honoured: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/0d96a6ff-5053-43fd-a1e3-5a57a10a5b49
How talks with Quw'utsun Nation on a forest co-management agreement will align with the public's conservation vision remains to be seen.
Douglas said he expects to sit down soon with the new council for a "strategic planning session" to consider priorities and initiatives. Infrastructure issues, redevelopment of the Crofton mill site and attracting new industry are leading challenges, he said.
During the election campaign, Caljouw poked a finger in the eye of voters by minimizing the value of petitions. More than 1,000 people had signed a petition opposing a development for the corner of Henry Road and Trans-Canada Highway in Chemainus. https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/c3069617-147d-4c5f-a603-fc26a2bea698
Hogg missed the first three all-candidates meetings. https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/68ad1e1f-df04-4d5f-a124-588b04615480
Findlay and Manhas were lightning rods for controversy during their time in office.
Findlay said that chemtrails, "dismissed as conspiracy theories, seem to be happening."
Both Findlay and Manhas are climate skeptics.
In 2023, the two councillors sat in lawn chairs drinking beer next to Island Health’s Overdose Prevention Site on York Road to protest the legal consumption of hard drugs in public.
(Cowichan Valley Citizen photo)
In June, Manhas apologized to Douglas for a social media comment that crossed the line into personal matters. Specifics of Manhas' post were not revealed, but Douglas said the information was incorrect.
Manhas has also defended accepting a $750 campaign donation from a fraudster: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/041f9c96-1545-4e0d-b630-b44d2fbc1590 .
On Sunday, Hogg offered congratulations to the successful candidates: "Wishing you all the best as you begin the next four years representing the residents of North Cowichan."
Wilkinson said: "I also want to congratulate Rob Douglas on his re-election, along with all the successful council candidates. I sincerely wish you well as you take on the important work ahead."
Manhas was less magnanimous: "The slate won in North Cowichan. What a shame."
Findlay thanked his supporters and congratulated the victors.
To Manhas, Hogg and Caljouw, he said: "You’ve all become amazing friends and I look forward to continuing that friendship for years to come. Perhaps with four beers at the CVI."
This Six Mountains article will explain the CVI reference: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/236be858-c47d-4a8d-98da-7c0d17132e60
The inaugural meeting of the new council is November 4.
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Some comments from candidates elected Saturday:
Adams: "It’s perhaps a more varied Council than many understand, and I see that as a real strength. We won’t always agree, nor should we. But with mutual respect, open minds and a willingness to listen, I believe we have the foundation for thoughtful and productive conversations."
Istace: "It is clear to me that with the loss of seats of the four other incumbents, it is important to remember they spoke on behalf of a significant part of our community. Moving forward it will be vital that I listen, engage and take feedback from those voices so that the full diversity of North Cowichan composes the next four years of decision making."
Russell: "I think voters sent a clear message that they want a council that listens to residents and staff, and protects our agricultural land and forests."
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(Larry Pynn received a gold award this year from the Canadian Association of Journalists for investigative reporting and is nominated for his ninth Jack Webster award.)
— Larry Pynn, Oct. 18, 2026