Here’s how Cowichan Valley’s municipal candidates will respond to the homelessness and mental health crises

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 responses to a reader question about how candidates will address homelessness in the region.

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: How will you create supports to help with the homeless crisis?

City of Duncan

Mike McKinlay (Mayor, acclaimed)

Mike McKinlay did not respond by the deadline.

“Duncan council voted unanimously on June 22 to renew the temporary use permit for The Village located at 610 Trunk Rd., a transitional housing location that supports up to 40 people.” (Black Press, July 8)

See their Facebook page.

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson did not respond by the deadline.

“Mayor Staples has focused on new housing for addicts and recovering addicts … I think the city needs to change this direction and instead prioritize new rental housing for workers, families and seniors.” (Cowichan Valley Citizen candidate submission, Sept. 27)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Dana Arthurs

Dana Arthurs did not respond by the deadline.

“Safe housing is important for everyone. I have very personal history on this matter. Please ask me in person if you have the opportunity.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

See their Facebook page.

Garry Bruce, incumbent

Garry Bruce did not respond by the deadline.

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Jenni Capps, incumbent

Recognizing that homelessness is rooted in many larger issues, including growing wealth inequality and other complex systemic issues, and that the city has limited ways to address these bigger picture root causes, there are still some steps we can take to help.

I have consistently voted in favour of, and would continue to support, a variety of affordable rentals (with real commitments made for rent tied to income, or below market rates), seniors housing and supportive housing, and would continue holding developers accountable to meaningful commitments to affordability so we can increase our supply of housing options that people can actually afford to live in.

It can be frustrating as local government to try to deal with the aftermath of upper levels of government failing to adequately fund prevention of these serious crises, and to be left trying to mitigate the effects this far down the stream, when a lot of human suffering and expense could be spared by higher levels of government; so in addition to exploring partnerships and relationship building locally, I will continue to support advocacy asking them to take care of our citizens, work to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and meaningfully address the matters that are within their purview, rather than download them to municipalities, often without accompanying funds.

Tom Duncan, incumbent

Continuing our advocacy to the provincial government.

Jessica Fetchko

I will increase my knowledge of all the services available through governments and local nonprofits and vote for affordable family housing.

Bradley Humenick

I don’t believe we solve homelessness by simply adding more supportive housing in Duncan without asking whether we have the resources to support it and keep the surrounding community safe. We desperately need more addiction treatment, mental health care and real paths to recovery, and I want organizations receiving public money to be accountable for the results they deliver. Duncan is a very small city, and I will also push the provincial and federal governments to provide the resources our community needs rather than expecting local taxpayers to carry this alone.

Adrian Mulholland

Homelessness is one of the most difficult issues facing our communities, but Duncan cannot address it by itself. Housing, health care, mental health and addiction treatment are primarily provincial responsibilities. Duncan’s role is to make sure our shared responsibilities are clear — my immediate goal is to measure the current effects of BC Housing initiatives on our communities.

Carol Newington, incumbent

Carol Newington did not respond by the deadline.

“Absolutely, there should be more housing that can be accessed by those that are sleeping rough and want off the street or out of their cars. However, they can’t just drop wet facilities into a community without adequate security.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

“Both Coun. Carol Newington and Coun. Tom Duncan were looking for guarantees that some sort of patrolling would be done regularly.” (Black Press, July 8)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Bernice Timmer

The Cowichan Valley is facing a housing crisis and it needs to be urgently addressed. I will work collaboratively with organizations, businesses and all levels of government to help move housing projects to completion. Where possible, it would be good to reduce red tape so that affordable housing can be fast-tracked.

Municipality of North Cowichan

Rob Douglas (Mayor), incumbent

I will continue to support a balanced “Four Pillars” approach to homelessness that includes prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement, working in partnership with senior governments and local organizations. As Mayor, my primary focus will be advocating to the province, BC Housing and Island Health for the supports and resources our community needs. This includes establishing more Village-style supportive housing similar to the successful model on Trunk Road, securing a facility for a new year-round shelter and daytime drop-in centre, developing treatment and recovery options for people experiencing complex mental health and addiction challenges and expanding supportive housing that integrates health services, counselling, employment supports and life-skills training.

Chris Wilkinson (Mayor)

Chris Wilkinson did not respond by the deadline.

“As mayor, one of my priorities will be bringing the key partners together including local governments, First Nations, Island Health, BC Housing, RCMP, treatment and recovery organizations, housing and outreach providers” (Chris for Mayor campaign website)

“I commit to compassionately using every tool available to North Cowichan, bringing the organizations working on these issues together, advocating strongly for more housing, treatment and recovery resources from the province” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Krystal Adams

My priority is to move us from managing homelessness to building a coordinated pathway out of it by empowering a dedicated working group to take the lead and bring governments, health services, housing providers, outreach and policing around one plan with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes. I would push for an immediate safe alternative to vulnerable encampments, a properly serviced interim site and ultimately a permanent integrated holistic model that brings together under one roof shelter and housing directly with mental health care, treatment, recovery and other supports. I have worked with the Victoria Cool Aid Society, which developed Rock Bay Landing, and I would use what I learned from that integrated model as a framework: develop a strong plan locally, then work directly with the province, Island Health and our community partners to secure the funding, services and resources needed to make it work here.

Don Allingham

Homelessness is a real problem all over the country just not [sic] in North Cowichan and a lot of the time it comes with drug addiction and mental illness. I would like to see more Village style homes built like the ones on Trunk road. I was told by a  front-line worker that they seem to be the best way to house and care for people in need.

Joyce Behnsen

Local government could create zoning to allow for sites for RV’s, motorhomes, trailers with onsite power, water, septic service with onsite full time managers. Limit the number of units to  provide for living in safer, healthier spaces. Most homeless do receive monthly income, the sites could be on a bus route.  

Mike Caljouw, incumbent

Mike Caljouw did not respond by the deadline.

“How much help we’re going to get, that remains to be seen, but we don’t have the funding at the municipal level to deal with this” (Black Press, Oct. 22, 2025)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Brian Chambers

Homelessness, drug abuse and crime that comes with it is the single biggest issue facing our community: businesses are shuttered and new ones are choosing other places, children and elderly are afraid to go out and the people on the streets continue to do irreparable and long-term harm to themselves. We have laws, and we must enforce them if we are to have any chance of helping the people on the streets, and the people dealing with the fallout, who are always left out of the compassion conversation.

Bruce Findlay, incumbent

Bruce Findlay did not respond by the deadline.

“Helping to find long-term addiction beds, after-care sober housing and fast-tracking zoning to make this happen is in our wheelhouse, as is consistent lobbying of the provincial government.” (Bruce Findlay campaign website)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Becky Hogg, incumbent

Becky Hogg did not respond by the deadline.

“I am committed to advocating for expanding addiction treatment services, including more detox options, mental health supports and housing solutions, all while ensuring our public spaces remain safe for everyone.” (Becky Hogg campaign website)

“I would support this but I would like to hear community output before making the final decision.” (The Discourse, March 27, 2025)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Chris Istace, incumbent

I will support affordable and social housing which includes subsidized rentals, supportive housing, co-ops and sound infill densification through North Cowichan’s Affordable Housing Policy and Community Amenity Contribution Policy. We must also include space and consideration for those most at risk in our community by advocating for more provincial funding. This must also consider a permanent emergency shelter space, long term treatment and mental health space, Heart and Hearth Village site and exploring long term RV parking.

Christopher Justice, incumbent

I have supported North Cowichan’s work through the SAFER Community Plan and Cowichan Vision for Community Wellness, and have advocated for a balanced approach that includes prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement. I also supported the development of a Foundry Centre by bringing forward a motion with Coun. Istace to identify suitable municipal land for integrated mental health and wellness services for young people. Going forward, I would continue working with community organizations and senior governments to expand housing, treatment, mental health and other supports while addressing the impacts of homelessness on residents, businesses and neighbourhoods.

Tek Manhas, incumbent

Tek Manhas did not respond by the deadline.

“Are we going to destroy some more communities here and see the same thing that is happening on Lewis Street? All these services should be put outside of town in one area.” (Black Press, Oct. 22, 2025)

See their Facebook page.

Derek Masselink

I support council’s Safer Community Plan and the work that our staff was doing to help address this difficult issue. An immediate priority would be to help relocate the Somenos Marsh homeless encampment off of Beverly Street to a better, safer and drier location before the arrival of the fall rains. Any longer-term work will require the involvement of all levels of government, experts, non-profits as well as those with lived experience and I am very interested in the Village model that was prototyped here in Duncan during COVID as a potential approach.

Valerie Russell

Valerie Russell did not respond by the deadline.

“They deserve dignity, safe housing, sanitation, and access to appropriate services and treatment. North Cowichan cannot solve these problems alone, but we can work with and advocate strongly to the province and community partners.” (Cowichan Valley Citizen candidate submission, Sept. 22)

“I support well-managed supportive housing with appropriate services, while considering each proposal on its merits. Simply moving unhoused people from one location to another does not solve homelessness.” (Common Ground Cowichan Alliance candidate questionnaire, Oct. 1)

See their candidate listing on CivicInfo BC.

Town of Ladysmith

Deena Beeston (Mayor), incumbent

Deena Beeston did not respond by the deadline.

“You can’t just move people along because there are not opportunities for them to just go find a place … we do not have the ability to suddenly come up with housing for people in our community.” (Ladysmith Chronicle, Oct. 2)

Read their platform on their campaign website.

Ray Gourlay (Mayor), current councillor

We currently have an emergency 10-bed shelter in Ladysmith as well as the regular services of a mobile outreach team. I will continue supporting these services and advocating for more detox and treatment services in our region as well as ongoing support for the well established supportive housing providers in nearby urban centres such as Nanaimo and Duncan. I will strengthen the town’s relationship with local non-market housing providers such as Ladysmith Seniors Housing Society and Ladysmith Resources Centre and advocate for further support for their work from BC Housing.

Stephen Halliday

Stephen Halliday did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Lynn Hansen

I would work with community service providers, housing partners, First Nations and other levels of government to identify gaps in housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness. Through council, I would support practical opportunities for affordable and supportive housing, alongside access to health, mental health and addiction services. My approach would recognize both the dignity of people experiencing homelessness and the community’s need for safe, accessible public spaces.

Tee Hanssen

Tee Hanssen did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

Renée Hutchinson

Renée Hutchinson did not respond by the deadline.

“For almost a decade, I have worked in town at the shelter helping people navigating homelessness.” (Ladysmith Chronicle candidate submission, Sept. 24)

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

People experiencing homelessness deserve to be treated with dignity, and we have a responsibility to look for practical ways to help. While many essential services are primarily provincial responsibilities, the town still has an important role in supporting local organizations doing this work, removing barriers to housing and advocating for the resources our community needs. We also need to balance compassion for those who are unhoused with ensuring our public spaces are safe and welcoming for everyone.

Eva Vincent

Eva Vincent did not respond by the deadline.

See their Facebook page.

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

By supporting community groups who are trying to add housing options for our elderly and marginalized.

We need to get the Lake Cowichan Elder Care project behind the library, out of the ground, and this can be done with advocacy for funding. We also have land that may suit groups like Habitat for Humanity so we need to make organizations aware of these opportunities.

Uniquely in Lake Cowichan we need to create housing in general to keep up with our growing population. Council can encourage this by having clear bylaws and processes in place, which we are currently in the process of.

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.

See their Facebook page.

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.