(Clockwise from top left: Findlay, Manhas, Caljouw, Hogg)
Push by council majority to log forest reserve could cost North Cowichan taxpayers $500,000
Staff report says revenues sensitive to market fluctuations, often resulting in ‘relatively low profits’
The future of North Cowichan’s municipal forest reserve — the rarest forest type in BC and one that residents have already said they want conserved — is again under imminent threat.
At issue is a push by the right-of-centre majority on council to renew logging in the 5,000-hectare reserve despite the public's wishes, the advice of professional staff and the concerns of First Nations.
And now taxpayers are learning it could cost them half a million dollars — all potentially for nothing.
Last August 20, the 4-3 majority — Bruce Findlay, Tek Manhas, Mike Caljouw and Becky Hogg — voted to make the resumption of logging in the forest reserve a strategic priority in 2026. Mayor Rob Douglas and councillors Christopher Justice and Chris Istace opposed the motion.
(Background: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/9b0f8444-c91d-4f34-8f71-480e0b9173f5 )
But a staff report going to council on Wednesday recommends council “complete the co-management framework and plan in partnership with Quw’utsun Nation prior to reconsidering forest harvesting as a strategic priority.”
The staff report estimates a price tag of $500,000 to create a five-year, forest-management plan, including the hiring of a forester or consultant as well as public and Indigenous engagements.
The plan would identify potential harvest areas, estimate revenues and costs, and outline post-harvest activities such as site rehabilitation and reforestation.
(Municipal clearcut atop Mount Prevost)
That money could be down the drain based on the outcome of the next municipal election — just 11 months away, in October 2026.
Remember, the municipality has already engaged in a lengthy public consultation process on the forest reserve that concluded two years ago at a cost of about $300,000.
The consultation showed overwhelming support for conservation management of the forest reserve — a decision that the four councillors are now seeking to reverse.
The staff report notes that from 1987 to 2019 the forest reserve generated an "average annual net profit" of $132,739.
Of that amount, about $70,000 went into general revenue.
“Historical data for North Cowichan’s forestry program shows that revenue has been highly sensitive to market fluctuations, often resulting in relatively low profits,” the report says.
It adds: “At present, the financial risk associated with proceeding does not appear to be clearly offset by the potential return. This is especially evident when considering historical revenue trends and the growing complexity and cost of future forestry operations.”
Compare that with Hogg’s statement last March during the byelection campaign. “We have lost close to $15 million in revenue since this working forest stopped in 2019,” she told an all-candidates meeting in Chemainus.
sixmountains.ca asked Hogg at the time to back up that statement, but she did not. She won the byelection by 67 votes.
(Becky Hogg at Chemainus all-candidates meeting)
The staff report warns that “to substantially increase revenue, North Cowichan would need to expand harvesting activities beyond historical levels.” That carries the risk of exceeding sustainable yields and compromising long-term ecological and social objectives.
“Moreover, increased harvesting would directly affect recreational activities as expanded forestry operations could reduce trail availability, alter scenic and natural values, and create conflicts among user groups, including hikers, cyclists, and Indigenous cultural practitioners.”
(Hikers on Maple Mountain)
In addition, “many of the more accessible and less visually prominent areas have already been harvested.”
The staff report is signed by Shaun Mason, director of parks and recreation, and George Farkas, general manager of planning, development and community services. Mason is the former municipal forester.
The report: https://pub-northcowichan.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=21438
Halalt First Nation — part of the Quw’utsun Nation that is still negotiating a forest co-management agreement with North Cowichan — has expressed shock at council’s actions.
Read more: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/ad63b6b9-a9d4-447d-b6cd-ba3460878dcd
Cowichan Tribes said council’s decision “undermines the collaborative nature” of co-management talks to date.
Debate on the forest reserve will take place during the council meeting starting Wednesday at 3 pm.
Do you have a comment for council? Write council@northcowichan.ca or appear in person.
Subscribe free to sixmountains.ca. More than 100,000 unique visitors.
Consider a financial contribution to local, in-depth reporting.
— Larry Pynn, Nov. 15, 2025