City approved new aerial fire truck and Campbellton sewer upgrades. Published 8:30 am Tuesday, July 21, 2026 The City endorsed community policing priorities for the coming year including a seasonal policing presence in the downtown core. (Kari Fredheim/Campbell River Mirror) Campbell River City Council moved forward on a wide-ranging slate of public safety, tourism, infrastructure and community grant items including a $2.67-million purchase of a new aerial fire truck and a $4.22-million sewer upgrade for the Campbellton area. Council received an update on the City's Community Safety and Well-Being Action Plan, which was endorsed in July 2025 and covers areas such as crime prevention, housing, downtown revitalization and youth engagement. A Community Safety Working Group has been struck to help address gaps in safety and well-being through improved collaboration and new initiatives. Council also reviewed the Campbell River RCMP Detachment's 2026-2027 Annual Performance Plan and endorsed community policing priorities for the coming year. Among the new initiatives is a seasonal policing presence in the downtown core planned for 2027, along with a proposal for a Community Policing Office tied to the Reimagine the Row project. Council added two further priorities to the list: improving the response to intimate partner violence and strengthening relationships with First Nations communities and citizens. The mayor was authorized to sign a letter formalizing the priorities for the RCMP's officer in charge. Destination Campbell River's 2027-2032 Tourism Strategic Plan and its 2027 Annual Tactical Plan were also approved. These lay out a five-year roadmap for tourism investment and destination development. Council also backed the City's application to renew its three per cent Municipal and Regional District Tax designation, which allows revenue from the accommodation tax to keep funding destination marketing, tourism development and visitor experiences locally. In a separate item, Council approved an additional $30,000 for an expanded aerial LiDAR survey of protected airspace around Campbell River Airport, on top of $30,000 already budgeted. The extra funding will come from unused WestJet-readiness contingency dollars. The survey will map obstacle limitation surfaces and other protected zones to identify potential hazards to aviation, building on vegetation management work already done with the BC Wildfire Service and BC Forest Safety Council. The City's 2026-2035 financial plan will be amended to reflect the change. Also approved were three 2026 Community Beautification Grant partnering agreements, providing matching funds of $10,000 each to the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association and the Willow Point Business Improvement Association and $14,978.50 to the Downtown Campbell River Business Improvement Association. The money will support projects such as planter maintenance, roadside cleanups, cigarette butt receptacles, public art, heritage sign repairs and community events. A tender was awarded for a new 107-foot aerial ladder fire truck to Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. for $2.67 million. The truck will replace a 33-year-old aerial ladder unit that has outlived its service life and is meant to help the fire department respond to the City's growing number of taller buildings. Council also increased the project's overall budget by $287,840, to $2.787 million, to cover costs such as staff travel, radio procurement and contingency, with the funds drawn from the Fleet and Heavy Equipment Reserve. Because industry lead times now exceed three years, the funding has been deferred to 2029 to match an expected delivery window of 38 to 41 months. Council also awarded the Campbellton Sewer Upgrade tender to Hazelwood Construction for $4.22 million... The project will install a new 450-millimetre sewer main to boost capacity in the Campbellton area, supporting future growth on We Wai Kai Nation lands, along Quinsam Road and throughout the neighbourhood. Council approved a budget increase of roughly $1.28 million, bringing the total project cost to about $5.1 million, after contaminated soil and groundwater conditions were discovered, PVC pipe costs rose and additional archaeological assessments and permits were required. That funding will come from the Sewer Reserve.

City and Wei Wai Kum First Nation formalize long-term partnership through Municipal Service Agreement. Published 2:30 pm Friday, July 10, 2026 By Campbell River Mirror Staff Wei Wai Kum First Nation and the City of Campbell River have signed a new Municipal Service Agreement, July 2026. (Campbell River Mirror File Photo) The City of Campbell River and Wei Wai Kum First Nation have announced the signing of a new Municipal Service Agreement (MSA), establishing a modern framework for the delivery of municipal services to Wei Wai Kum First Nation lands and strengthening the government-to-government relationship. The MSA replaces historical service arrangements with a single comprehensive framework, providing greater clarity around service delivery, financial responsibilities, infrastructure planning and future growth. This agreement recognizes the distinct governance, jurisdiction and decision-making authority of both governments while supporting ongoing collaboration on matters of shared interest. It provides certainty for services including fire protection, water, sewer and future stormwater servicing, while clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each party. "The new Municipal Service Agreement reflects a respectful government-to-government approach that provides a clear path forward for both the City and the Wei Wai Kum First Nation," said City of Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl. "It establishes certainty around municipal services, supports long-term planning and creates a framework that allows both governments to work together while respecting each other's independence and jurisdiction." The agreement supports both governments' shared interest in ensuring residents and businesses have access to reliable municipal services while creating certainty for future growth and investment. It also reflects many years of collaboration and ongoing efforts to strengthen intergovernmental relationships and advance the principles of reconciliation in the community. "The new agreement provides clarity and predictability for both the Wei Wai Kum First Nation and the City as our communities continue to grow," said Wei Wai Kum First Nation Chief Chris Roberts. "It reflects the strong working relationship between our governments and demonstrates what can be achieved when governments work together, with mutual recognition of jurisdiction, to find practical solutions that support both communities." The MSA marks an important milestone in the ongoing relationship between the City of Campbell River and Wei Wai Kum First Nation. The agreement establishes a foundation for managing services now and into the future. Building on this work, the parties have committed to ongoing discussions regarding updates to their broader Protocol Agreements and to exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration, communication and coordination on matters of shared interest.

Community garden built at Campbell River supportive housing site. Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:14 AM By Jay Herrington Residents at a Campbell River supportive housing site now have a new space to grow food, connect with neighbours, and spend time outdoors. A new community garden has been built at the Homewood supportive housing initiative through a partnership between FortisBC, the City of Campbell River, and Lookout Housing and Health Society. Volunteers, including FortisBC employees, city staff, Lookout team members, and residents, came together to help build the shared outdoor space. The project included installing a greenhouse, raised garden beds, preparing soil, and planting a variety of food crops. The garden is located at Homewood, a 48-unit temporary supportive housing site that opened in November 2024 for people transitioning from shelters or encampments. Organizers say the new garden is designed to support food-based learning, mental wellness, and stronger community connections among residents. FortisBC funded the construction, materials, and infrastructure as part of its province-wide Community Giving Days program, which supports local projects focused on safety, education, and community well-being. Lookout Housing and Health Society says the garden will give residents a chance to care for something together while creating a stronger sense of purpose and belonging. City officials say projects like this highlight how partnerships can help create supportive spaces and strengthen the community for the future.