July 20, 2026 Regular Council Summary

Presentation

Representatives from Nexus Primary Care Clinic gave a presentation regarding their request for Council’s assistance in advocating to senior levels of government for increased funding for the nurse practitioner-led clinic.
Section 8a

Committee Recommendations

Recommendation from the July 8, 2026 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness meeting:

• Council directed Staff to prepare a report regarding the steps associated with the City of Nanaimo joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network and adopting the Sunflower symbol at City-owned facilities.
  Section 10a

Recommendation from the July 10, 2026 Mayor’s Leaders’ Table meeting:

• Council will be inviting representatives from the Mayor’s Leaders’ Table to present the Nanaimo Accord at a future meeting for Council’s approval and signature.

Recommendations from the July 13, 2026 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting:

• Council provided support in principle of a $75,000 contribution to the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation to facilitate a non-market housing delivery system pilot and directed staff to work with partner groups to explore the viability of the pilot program.
• Council adopted the Tree Risk Management and Maintenance Policy.

Recommendations from the July 15, 2026 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

• Council approved $6,000 in Community Program Development Grant funding for the following events:
  • West Coast Costume Society – Boo-tique Costume Exchange event ($1,500)
  • Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 – Veteran Banner Program event ($2,500)
  • Mansfield County Fair – Mansfield County Fair event ($2,000)
• Council directed staff to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the Nanaimo United Football Club (NUFC) for the installation of sports lighting at the Beban park athletic fields, funded by $100,000 from the NUFC and $42,000 from the City’s Strategic Infrastructure Reserve Fund.
• Council approved changes to the Sport Tournament Grant (renamed the Sport Project Grant), which expands grant eligibility beyond tournament-based activities to support a broader range of sport-related initiatives.

Delegations

James Boak spoke regarding riparian area protection regulations and the City’s Development Permit review.
Section 11a

Administrative Reports

Council approved the establishment of a Friendship City relationship between the City of Nanaimo and Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China and approved a Memorandum of Understanding for a five-year term.
Section 12a

Council directed staff to bring forward amendments to the City’s Business License Bylaw to include provisions restricting the sale and distribution of invasive plants.
Section 12b

Council received the Year 2 Housing Target Progress Report for the July 1, 2025 – June 30, 226 reporting period in accordance with Ministerial Order M203-2024. Staff also provided Council with an overview and statistics related to Nanaimo’s housing and development.
Section 12c

“Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 7454” (to replace Subdivision Control Bylaw 1989 No. 3260) passed three readings.
Section 12d

“Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw 2026 No. 7459” (to support residential tenants displaced due to redevelopment) and “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7159.27” (to establish fines for non-compliance with Residential Tenant Assistance Bylaw 2026 No. 7459) both passed three readings.
Section 12e

Council rescinded third reading of “Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw 2026 No. 7453” (To regulate off-street parking and transportation demand management within the City of Nanaimo) and then passed third reading as amended.
Section 12f

Development Reports

A Development Variance Permit was issued for 3452 Blackfoot Way, to allow for a proposed open deck addition.
Section 13a

Council directed staff to discharge a Section 219 covenant from the property title of 2137 Boundary Avenue, to allow up to four dwelling units on the property.
Section 13b

Council passed three readings of a housing agreement bylaw for 5343 Dewar Road, securing the terms and conditions of occupancy for a residential shelter.
Section 13c

Council issued a temporary use permit for 156 Victoria Road, to allow personal service use for a period of three years.
Section 13d

A rezoning application for 1821, 1825 and 1885 Northfield Road, to facilitate a multi-family development, passed three readings.
Section 13e

Bylaw Updates

“Parks, Recreation and Culture Regulation Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7340.01” was adopted.
Section 14a

Correspondence and Other Business

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be providing a letter of support to Literacy Central Vancouver Island for their application to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Section 15a

Council directed staff to work with Nanaimo Legion Branch 256 and Nanaimo Branch 10 to develop a crosswalk design honouring veterans. Staff will return with a report providing options for Council to consider.
Section 17a

Council directed staff to prepare an OCP amendment bylaw to require any future rezoning applications for a data centre to include detailed information on daily/yearly water use, energy consumption, and energy and water conservation plans.
Section 17b

July 20, 2026 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video