Cowichan Valley candidates on protecting the community from climate change

Leading up to the 2026 municipal election in the Cowichan Valley, The Discourse surveyed readers to learn what they wanted to know from candidates running for council and mayor.

For our Cowichan Valley respondents, the top issues that readers said are on their mind are: homelessness and social supports, environment, reconciliation and local infrastructure.

Based on your feedback, we sent five reader questions to candidates for Duncan, North Cowichan, Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan and asked them to respond with a maximum of three sentences per question. There were so many insightful questions and comments made in the survey and we tried to pick ones that were specific to the community and top issues of interest.

Many readers also wanted to know more about candidate track records and values, not just talking points, with some folks submitting questions to help indicate how much candidates actually know about their municipal roles and responsibilities.

Below are candidate responses to a reader question about protecting the community from impacts of climate change.

Responses are listed with mayoral candidates first, followed by council candidates, each in alphabetical order by last name, and have been lightly edited for length, clarity and fact-checking.

Reader question: What steps will you take to protect the community from and mitigate impacts of climate change (such as wildfire, flooding, sea level rise, drought, etc.)?

City of Duncan

Mike McKinlay (Mayor, acclaimed)

Mike McKinlay did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson did not respond by the deadline.

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Dana Arthurs

Dana Arthurs did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Garry Bruce, incumbent

Garry Bruce did not respond by the deadline.

At an April 13 council meeting, Bruce opposed buying carbon offsets to keep Duncan carbon-neutral and was the lone vote against continuing the program.

“We are actually asking our taxpayers to pay out money so that we can pollute. It sounds a little cockeyed to me and I think we’re drinking all the kool-aid here.” (Black Press, June 4)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Jenni Capps, incumbent

As chair of the Environment & Sustainability Committee, I’m committed to making sure sustainability is front of mind and considered in all our work as we make forward-thinking decisions for our community. I’ve been a huge proponent of increasing our tree canopy, which can help mitigate the effects of heat domes and other climate events, by making trees available at low cost to citizens through our popular tree sale and rebate programs. I am also supportive of continuing to transition our municipal vehicle fleet to renewable resources, and continuing to participate in efforts like the Clean BC Better Homes Retrofit Rebate which provides direct assistance for homeowners to upgrade to a heat pump, install new windows or improve insulation, which improves energy efficiency, reduces emissions and increases comfort.

Tom Duncan, incumbent

Continue with the city tree sales and insist on build green development.

Jessica Fetchko

Follow and support the CVRD’s Emergency Response Cowichan’s lead.

Bradley Humenick

I support practical measures that protect people and property from flooding, wildfire, drought and extreme weather, including good emergency planning, water conservation and resilient infrastructure. I will work with neighbouring governments and senior governments where regional solutions make sense, while asking what each proposal will cost and what it will actually accomplish. I want our environmental spending focused on projects that produce real, measurable benefits for the people who live here.

Adrian Mulholland

For Duncan, climate adaptation should be very practical: Identify the risks to people and infrastructure and make sure we are prepared for them.

The CVRD is already developing regional hazard and climate-adaptation work, including assessments of flooding, wildfire and risks to critical infrastructure.

I would make sure Duncan’s infrastructure planning, emergency planning and land-use decisions use that information rather than creating another separate municipal process — that means maintaining drainage and water infrastructure, protecting critical facilities, applying appropriate flood-development standards, preparing for heat and wildfire emergencies and coordinating emergency planning regionally.

Carol Newington, incumbent

Carol Newington did not respond by the deadline.

“We know all that we will need a winter shelter each year. Once again, this must be a collaboration between all the governments in the Valley” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

“Both the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers are vital to our Valley. Two years ago, the Province committed to $14 million to rebuilding the weir.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Bernice Timmer

The science behind climate change is clear and we need to ramp up efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and plan for the future. The City of Duncan can work with other jurisdictions and other levels of government on a variety of initiatives, such as ways to cool homes during heat waves and to identify emergency cooling centres. Encouraging active transportation, increasing shade cover and planting more trees are all things that can be done locally by the City of Duncan.

Municipality of North Cowichan

Rob Douglas (Mayor), incumbent

I will continue supporting the implementation of North Cowichan’s Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy, which identifies actions to strengthen our community’s resilience and protect our environment. In 2026, I supported shifting a portion of North Cowichan’s Climate Action and Energy Reserve Fund toward adaptation, with a particular focus on wildfire preparedness and mitigation, and North Cowichan has since hired an assistant fire chief of wildfire operations to develop a community wildfire response strategy. I will continue supporting this work while ensuring North Cowichan is prepared for other climate-related risks, including flooding, drought and sea-level rise.

Chris Wilkinson (Mayor)

Chris Wilkinson did not respond by the deadline.

“Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding and severe cold are realities that municipalities must plan for in advance, and I would support appropriate funding to implement North Cowichan’s adopted climate adaptation plan.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Krystal Adams

I believe good climate policy starts with science, but it has to translate into practical decisions about how and where we build, how we manage our natural assets, and how we prepare for the risks ahead. I will prioritize the long-term health of our forests, watersheds, agricultural lands and coastlines, while ensuring wildfire, drought, flooding and water security are considered in our land-use and infrastructure decisions. For me, resilience means anticipating risk and investing wisely now, protecting both our environment and taxpayers from costs we have the knowledge and opportunity to prevent.

Don Allingham

Pre plan for floods, droughts, etc. The climate is changing, we don’t stop it. At best we can slow it down so let’s be ready for it and not afraid of it.

Joyce Behnsen

Maintenance of rivers and streams removing gravel buildup to prevent flooding.  Forestry management by clearing to help prevent wildfire risks. Climate changes, always has, always will. Encourage water storage such as cisterns.         

Mike Caljouw, incumbent

Mike Caljouw did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Brian Chambers

We have been facing hot, dry summers and last winter we had very little in the way of snow pack. The fire risk to our community is growing and this can be mitigated with fire smart education and action. We should incentivize construction that is more resistant to wild fire while incentivizing home owners to fire smart existing properties.

Bruce Findlay, incumbent

Bruce Findlay did not respond by the deadline.

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Becky Hogg, incumbent

Becky Hogg did not respond by the deadline.

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Chris Istace, incumbent

I remain steadfast in my support for protection of the environment in conjunction with climate adaptation and mitigation policies that need to underlay all decisions at the council table. I commit to continuing my vocal support and affirmative voting record to adopt the updated CAEP (Climate Action & Energy Program). I will support the work by municipal staff to implement the new Biodiversity Protection Policy which I voted in favor to officially adopt. I will also work with staff and council to take meaningful action on the new Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy which I voted in support of as well.

Christopher Justice, incumbent

I have been working on climate adaptation for years, including motions to integrate climate planning into the OCP and municipal business planning, and more recently supporting work on climate risk and the municipality’s Climate Adaptation Strategy. I have also brought forward initiatives on wildfire preparedness, urban forestry, Quamichan and Somenos watershed health and protection of natural systems that help us manage heat and water. I would continue to focus on both reducing emissions and preparing for the realities we face, including wildfire, flooding, drought, extreme heat and other climate-related risks.

Tek Manhas, incumbent

Tek Manhas did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Derek Masselink

Continue to support the implementation of the Climate Action and Energy Plan, OCP and associated plans that have taken a climate-focused approach.

Review our 2030 and 2050 emission targets, which are not aggressive enough and send a mixed message to our citizens about the criticality of reducing CO2 emissions by everyone, everywhere.

In collaboration with First Nations, bring the provincial government and Mosaic to the table with respect to the management of our watersheds, particularly the Chemainus River.

Reframe our climate adaptation expenditures from costs to community investments that protect our community from economic, social and environmental risk.

Valerie Russell

Valerie Russell did not respond by the deadline.

“Climate change is already bringing hotter, drier summers, wildfire smoke and more extreme weather to our Valley. I support funding our climate adaptation plans, including accessible cooling, clean-air and warming spaces.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

“We are seeing previous progress on climate action being reversed, renewed interest in logging our Municipal Forest Reserve, and development being approved outside the Urban Containment Boundary.” (Victoria Times Colonist candidate questionnaire)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Town of Ladysmith

Deena Beeston (Mayor), incumbent

Deena Beeston did not respond by the deadline.

“Protecting our drinking water sources and surrounding forest lands must remain a top priority.” (Black Press, March 12)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Ray Gourlay (Mayor), current councillor

We need to increase our urban canopy to help cool streets and sidewalks, provide more designated cooling and warming centres, collaborate with BC Hydro and community volunteers to remove invasive Scotch broom from beneath the power lines and address water security by completing the planned upgrades to both Holland Lake and Stocking Lake reservoirs.

Stephen Halliday

Stephen Halliday did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Lynn Hansen

I would support using current risk assessments to guide decisions about wildfire preparedness, flooding, sea level rise and drought. Protecting our watershed, strengthening essential infrastructure and considering climate risks in development decisions would be priorities for me. I would also seek clear emergency communication, practical water conservation measures and funding partnerships to help manage costs for residents.

Tee Hanssen

Tee Hanssen did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Renée Hutchinson

Renée Hutchinson did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

April Marrington

April Marrington did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Bethea Penny

Bethea Penny did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

John Scott

For Ladysmith, I think our focus should be on building resilience to the changes we are already experiencing, including protecting our drinking water supply, maintaining stormwater infrastructure, reducing wildfire risk and planning for flooding, drought and sea level rise. We need to consider those risks in our long-term infrastructure and land-use decisions, rather than waiting until emergencies force us to respond. We should also continue looking for practical opportunities to reduce emissions, particularly where those efforts go hand in hand with making our community more resilient.

Eva Vincent

Eva Vincent did not respond by the deadline.

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Jeff Virtanen, incumbent

Jeff Virtanen did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Town of Lake Cowichan

Ross Forrest (Mayor)

Ross Forrest did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Tim McGonigle (Mayor), incumbent

Tim McGonigle did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Aaron Frisby, incumbent

Get that weir raised and unfortunately that is not in our control. With funding in place and Domtar shutting up shop and no longer managing the weir or the water license, now is the time to get things moving on the weir.

As for wildfire risks, I think the Town of Lake Cowichan fire department have an amazing firesmart program and the recently announced restructuring around a paid fire chief who is also a director of emergency services is a huge step in the right direction.

Bill Garrett

Bill Garrett did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Bill Hieta

Bill Hieta did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

John Koury

John Koury did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Dale N. Plante

Dale N. Plante did not respond by the deadline.

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Kristine M. Sandhu, incumbent

Kristine M. Sandhu did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Lorna Vomacka, incumbent

Lorna Vomacka did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.