Council Member Report

2026

The work of Mayor and Council is much more than meetings. Council members regularly report their activities on behalf of our community, and we publish these reports monthly in Council agenda packages. Here’s mine, consolidated into a page for each year so far.

January 2026

Mon 12CouncilCouncil Meeting
Mon 26CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 26CouncilCouncil Meeting

February 2026

Mon 2CouncilVillage Hall Meeting
Mon 9CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 9CouncilCouncil Meeting
Tue 10Chamber of CommerceEconomic Outlook Breakfast

Presentation by Susan Mowbray of MNP to business leaders and government about local economic statistics and outlook.
Panel discussion including representatives of Aciano Development, CFB Comox, Comox Valley Airport, CanWest Mechanical.
Sat 21VIRLLibrary AGM and Board Meeting

Election of new Chair (Jonathan Lerner, Lantzville), Vice Chair (Cheryl Northcott, Tahsis) and Executive Committee
I have been appointed to the Audit and Finance Special Committee

New Board Policy: Investment and Cash Management – adopted
Financial reserves now fully funded
Forward movement on branch updates or replacement in Tofino, Tahsis and Campbell River
Mon 23CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 23CouncilCouncil Meeting
Thu 26Wounded WarriorsWounded Warriors Run – Morning start 6:30am at Cumberland Legion

Greeted the runners and their support team on behalf of Mayor and Council. Shared coffee and breakfast, cheered the team on their way, supported by members of the Cumberland Fire Department and Cumberland Legion.

March 2026

Mon 9CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 9CouncilCouncil Meeting
Sat 14Firefighters SocietyAnnual Firefighters Banquet
Mon 16CouncilTransportation Masterplan Workshop
Mon 16CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 23CouncilRibbon Cutting celebration for the Waste Water Treatment Plant
Mon 23CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 23CouncilCouncil Meeting

April 2026

Mon 13CouncilCouncil Meeting
Fri 24AVICCAVICC Convention in Victoria

(Full program – https://avicc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Program_FINAL_APRIL-22.pdf)

Workshop – Navigating the Big Divide. Analysis and tools for handling the tension and interrelationship between Conviction and Openness
Convention opening and initial sessions
CUPE Reception for Delegates
Sat 25AVICCAssociation AGM and Resolutions sessions
Panel Discussion – Troubled Water – Regulation in and around Waterways. Mainly tidewater issues but also watershed and watercourses in private managed forest lands.
Panel Discussion – The Future of Forestry in BC. Economics of forestry, sustainable management approaches, wildfire mitigation, mill closures, raw log export issues, watershed and flooding impacts, fibre availability.
Sun 26AVICCResolution sessions
Addresses from BC Conservative Caucus, Green Party, Student Delegates
Presentation – Strong Towns – impact of zoning density on economic prosperity per acre and infrastructure sustainability.
Mon 27CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 27CouncilCouncil Meeting

May 2026

Fri 1VIRLLibrary Audit and Finance Special Committee meeting

Presentation by the auditors, budget assumptions report for start of annual budget process
Wed 6Strong CitiesCommunity Dialogue on Online Harms

A facilitated session for community leaders on the impacts and mitigation of negative online behaviours. Held at the Cumberland Library with approx 20 attendees
Thu 14RCMPCoffee with a Cop Q+A session at Cumberland Grind
Thu 14VillageAgenda Planning meeting
Mon 18Events SocietyMay Days Parade, Ceremony and May Queen Luncheon
Mon 25CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 25CouncilCouncil Meeting
Fri 29Gord Johns MPMeeting with Gord Johns to discuss impacts of financial scams on residents.

Gord and NDP advocating improvements to consumer protections through legislation and the federal National Anti-Fraud Strategy work currently underway.
Fri 29University of CalgaryInterview for Canadian Municipal Barometer research project on voting participation.
Sat 30VIRLBoard Meeting

Clean audit report and approval of the Statement of Financial Information
Update on Tofino Branch replacement – new build beside community centre
Update on Standardized schedule and opening hours. Increase in total open hours across the region, reduced reliance on casual staff, higher proportion of staff full-time, all part-time staff now qualify for benefits.
Sat 30VIRL Cumberland BranchVIRL 90th Birthday celebration, and retirement recognition

Local celebration for organization birthday and retirement of branch supervisor Yvonne Alix after 45 years of service. Well attended by library patrons.

June 2026

Mon 1CouncilVillage Hall Meeting
Fri 5UROCEpic Trail Opening Ceremony

Trailside ceremony in the Community Forest to celebrate the opening of the ‘Epic’ trail network
Sat 6386 Komox Air CadetsAir Cadets Review

Parade, drills and demonstrations by the young men and women of 386 Komox Air Cadets.
Mon 8CouncilCouncil Meeting
Sun 14Cumberland MuseumMiners Memorial Graveside Vigil

Remembrance, speeches and songs at the Cumberland Cemetery and the Nikkei No Haka Cemetery
Tue 16NICNIC Convocation

Representing Cumberland at the graduation ceremony and celebration for NIC’s class of 2026
Tue 1619 Wing ComoxRenaming Ceremony for 19 Wing Hanger

Ceremony for the naming of the J.F. “Stocky” Edwards and A. “Toni” Edwards Hanger at CFB Comox
Fri 19VIRLAudit and Finance Special Committee Meeting

Review of first draft financial plan and extension of audit services agreement for two more years
Mon 22CouncilCouncil Meeting
Sun 28CV Farmers MarketsOpening of the Cumberland Farmers Market for the 2026 Season

July 2026

Sun 12Province of BCVisit of the Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities.

Tour of Cumberland for Minister Anderson with Council and CAO.
Mon 13CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 13CouncilPublic Hearing – OCP and Zoning Bylaw Amendments
Mon 13CouncilCouncil Meeting
Fri 24VIRLAudit and Finance Special Committee Meeting

Review of second draft financial plan and recommendation of the plan to the Board – more details available in September
Mon 27CouncilCommittee of the Whole Meeting
Mon 27CouncilCouncil Meeting

August 2026

Thu 6CouncilSpecial Council Meeting – Closed
Thu 20CouncilSpecial Council Meeting – Closed
Fri 28VIllagePride Flag raising ceremony
Sat 29Queer Centre Comox ValleyPride Parade

September 2026

Tue 8CouncilRegular Council Meeting
Sat 12VIRLLibrary Board Meeting
Mon 14UBCMUBCM Annual Convention – Vancouver