Lake Cowichan mayoral byelection: A guide for voters

Oct. 24 will be a busy day for residents of the Town of Lake Cowichan. In addition to the provincial election, residents will pick a new mayor in a byelection. Outgoing mayor Rod Peters stepped down earlier this year for personal reasons. 

Here you’ll find all the information you need on the candidates and how to vote. 

Be sure to sign up to the Discourse’s Cowichan Valley newsletters to stay up to date on local news and events. 

Can I vote? 

The election is open to people who are at least 18 years old, have lived in the Town of Lake Cowichan for at least a month and have lived in B.C. for at least six months. The municipal boundaries capture most of the residential areas within a kilometre or so of the town core. Not sure if you live in the Town of Lake Cowichan? Check this map. 

To register to vote, you’ll need two pieces of identification, at least one with your signature and at least one with your address.

Non-residents who own property in Lake Cowichan can also vote, to a maximum of one individual per property. You’ll need to show a tax notice, property title or assessment notice for the property.

Here’s the town’s official notice of by-election and voting information.

Where and when do I vote?

Advance voting will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19 through Oct. 23 at the municipal office, 39 South Shore Rd.

Voting day is Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Centennial Hall, 309 South Shore Rd. 

How can I get to know the candidates?

Bob K. Day previously served as a town councillor for 10 years. He ran for mayor in 2018 against outgoing mayor Rod Peters. More information about Day and his platform is available on his Facebook page. Day can be reached at (250) 710-0742 or [email protected]

Ross Forrest was the mayor of Lake Cowichan for 10 years, losing his seat in 2018 to outgoing mayor Rod Peters. More information about Forrest and his platform can be found on his Facebook page. Forrest has committed to be available at noon every day at Ts’uu-baa-asatx Square, next to the library, to meet residents. He can be reached at (250) 701-5463.

Mike Hallatt is a long-time entrepreneur and newcomer to local politics. His bio lists many business ventures, including somewhat notorious Pirate Joe’s, an unauthorized importer of goods from Trader Joe’s across the border. He’s currently working on opening a healthy fast food joint at the fromer Lake Service Garage in the centre of Lake Cowichan. Learn more on his website, or email [email protected]

Corrie Helliwell has lived in the Cowichan Lake area since 2000, and operated the Copper Lane Boutique in Lake Cowichan for many years. She now runs Fanny’s Farmhouse in Honeymoon Bay. Helliwell’s platform and more information can be found in her Facebook group. She can be reached at [email protected]

Jayne Ingram served as a town councillor from 2008 through 2014, and has long been an active volunteer in the community. Ingram’s platform and other information can be found on her Facebook page. She can be reached at (250) 710-6452 or [email protected].

Four of five candidates attended three all-candidates meetings hosted by the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 8. Jayne Ingram declined to attend because of COVID-19 and addressed some of the questions from the meeting on Facebook. Video from the first meeting is on Facebook, though the sound quality is bad. High-quality video from the second meeting, filmed by Shaw Community Link, is on YouTube. [end]