December 1, 2025 Regular Council Summary

Rise and Report

Council appointed Nikolina Vracar, Deputy Corporate Officer, as the Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 Local General Election. Sheila Gurrie, Director of Legislative Services, is the Chief Election Officer.
Section 7a

eTown Hall

An eTown Hall took place at the start of the meeting to answer questions from the public related to the City’s budget. Prior to the eTown hall beginning, staff gave an overview of the draft 2026-2030 Financial Plan and the 2026 Budget video was played.  
Section 8a

Watch the 2026 Budget video

Committee Recommendations

Recommendations from the November 19, 2025 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

• Revenue from the Online Accommodation Platform will be distributed to support the Nanaimo Region Rent Bank ($35,000), rent supplement programs ($150,000) and BC Housing/City of Nanaimo affordable housing developments ($116,415).
• Council approved $85,000 in 2026 Social Planning Grants for the following projects:
  • Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
    (Project: Digital Literacy for Senior Newcomers Mentorship Program - $20,858)
  • Haven Society
    (Project: Celebrate Life Project - $14,000)
  • Nanaimo Brain Injury Society
    (Project: Concussion 101 - $13,700)
  • Nanaimo Family Life Association
    (Project: Reducing Community Barriers for Seniors - $10,000)
  • Nanaimo Foodshare
    (Project: Shared Harvest - $11,442)
  • Spinal Cord Injury BC
    (Project: Peer Support Program in Nanaimo - $5,000)
  • Take a Hike Foundation
    (Project: Take a Hike Nanaimo Program - $10,000)
• Council approved a $149,900 grant request from the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, which will be funded from the 2025 general operating fund surplus.
• Council is supporting the Legion Branch 10’s bid to host the 2028 and 2029 Legion National Youth Canadian Track and Field Championships and committing $100,000 towards the event.
• Council is supporting a proposed bid to host the Creative City Summit in 2028, 2029 or 2030 and committing $50,000 towards the event.

Recommendations from the November 24, 2025 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting:

• A motion to complete design and implementation of phase 2 traffic calming on Lost Lake Road was referred to the Public Safety Committee for input.
• Council adopted the School Neighbourhood Speed Limit Policy and directed staff to prepare site-specific bylaws for speed limit reductions around elementary schools, with a phased approach.
• Council directed staff to proceed with design and implementation of traffic calming on Bradley Street which would see a portion of the road become a one-way westbound route.

Section 10a-c

Administrative Reports

An outdated Development Cost Charge payments bylaw will be repealed and two zoning bylaws that were no longer valid were abandoned.
Section 12a

Council passed three readings for bylaws related to the 2026 rates and charges for water, sanitary sewer, solid waste collection, user fee subsidies and bulk water rates for South West Extension.
Sections 12b-f

Staff provided an overview and analysis of Bill M216 (Professional Reliance Act).
Section 12g

Development Reports

Council issued a Development Permit for 707 Hamilton Avenue, to allow for an addition to an existing detached garage.
Section 13a

Council issued a Development Permit for 1435 Cranberry Avenue, to allow for a multi-family housing development.
Section 13b

Correspondence and Other Business

Council directed staff to send correspondence to the provincial government outlining the concerns identified in the staff report “Professional Reliance Act Bill M216”.
Section 15a

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will provide letters of support to the Nurse Practitioner Long Term Care Access Initiative, for the Nurse Practitioner “Most Responsible Provider” pilot project in Nanaimo, and to the Pacifica Housing Advisory Association, for their application to BC Housing’s Rental Housing Site Redevelopment and Operation RFP.
Sections 15b,c

Council considered a motion requesting the provincial government to amend its current drug decriminalization policy. Two delegations spoke regarding their concerns with the proposed motion and the motion failed.
Section 17a

A motion regarding amending the Manufactured Home Community Relocation and Assistance Policy was deferred to the December 15 Council meeting.
Section 17b

December 1, 2025 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video