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THOUGHTFUL PROGRESS
My Priorities
North Cowichan is at a crossroads.
Although we have a ton of potential, we are facing significant challenges: rising taxes, aging infrastructure, public safety concerns, housing pressures, and an economy that isn’t keeping pace. People are also exhausted by council infighting. We don’t need politics that divide us; we need leadership that brings people together to make thoughtful, affordable, long-term decisions.
It is time for change and to earn back public trust.
As your mayor, I will lead with respect, transparency and accountability, encourage constructive debate, and ensure our community has a meaningful voice.
STRONG LEADERSHIP
that brings people together. This campaign isn't about politics. It's about leadership. And leadership isn't about winning arguments. It's about listening first, respecting different points of view, finding common ground where possible, and making decisions based on facts and community input, not political positions. I have a proven track record of bringing people together and creating environments where people can succeed. As co-owner of Nurse Next Door, our franchise won Franchise of the Year three times - more than any other franchise - while achieving outstanding customer service and some of the highest employee satisfaction ratings in the organization. Those results came from building a positive culture, setting high standards, listening to people, and giving them the support they needed to do their best work. That same approach continues in my work today as a business and leadership coach, where I help leaders and organizations bring out the best in their people and work more effectively together. I've also developed strong negotiation and consensus-building skills. My fellow franchise owners chose me to represent them in sensitive discussions with Nurse Next Door's head office leadership - a role that required me to listen to different perspectives, build trust and work toward solutions that people could support. Rounding out my commitment to community, locally I have sat on a variety of Boards of Directors, including the Chamber of Commerce, Cowichan Sportsplex, and the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society and volunteered with Cowichan Valley Youth Services and as a hockey coach for over 10 years with Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association. As your mayor, I will bring that experience to council creating a respectful environment where different perspectives are heard, common ground is found, and council and the community can rally around a shared vision for North Cowichan.
SENSIBLE LONG-TERM PLANNING
that renews our roads, water, and infrastructure. Roads, water, sewer, drainage and recreation facilities are some of the most important services local government provides. When we don't maintain and replace infrastructure at the right time, problems become more expensive to fix and future taxpayers are left with the bill. I believe we need to plan ahead rather than react when infrastructure reaches a crisis point. That means understanding what we have, what condition it's in, what will need to be replaced and when, and making responsible decisions about priorities before problems become emergencies. New housing and development need roads, water, sewer and other services to support them. Before approving significant growth, we need to understand whether our existing infrastructure can handle it, what additional investment will be required, and who will pay for it. As your mayor, I will support infrastructure investments that are carefully prioritized and financially responsible. We should pursue grants and senior government funding wherever possible and finance major projects appropriately over their useful life, rather than asking today's taxpayers to carry the entire cost of infrastructure that will serve our community for decades. Good long-term planning isn't just about fixing roads and pipes. It's about protecting taxpayers, avoiding costly surprises and making sure North Cowichan has the infrastructure it needs for the community we're becoming - not just the community we are today.
BALANCED GROWTH
that protects what makes North Cowichan special – our environment, agriculture, and quality of life. Growth is coming. The question isn't whether North Cowichan grows; it's whether we manage that growth thoughtfully. That means planning for the housing our community needs while protecting the qualities that make North Cowichan such a special place to live and build a life. Our municipal forests, rivers, lakes, estuaries, parks, farmland and coastline are part of who we are - and among our community's greatest assets. Whether it's walking the trails in our Municipal Forest Reserve, paddling on Fuller Lake, fishing the Cowichan or Chemainus Rivers, or enjoying Somenos Marsh and our coastline, these places contribute enormously to our quality of life and deserve thoughtful stewardship. Getting the balance right means protecting sensitive ecosystems, agricultural lands and water resources, considering climate impacts, and understanding the long-term consequences of the decisions we make today. There will be difficult decisions as we balance housing, business and industry, agriculture, recreation and environmental protection. I don't pretend those decisions will always be simple. They should be guided by good information and science, careful thought, meaningful community input, and a clear understanding of the long-term impacts. As your mayor, I will work to manage growth responsibly while protecting the places and qualities that make North Cowichan special for generations to come.
A STRONGER TAX BASE
that helps keep taxes affordable. Over the past 15 years, North Cowichan's tax base has shifted dramatically, placing a much greater share of the burden on homeowners. According to figures confirmed by North Cowichan, residential properties accounted for approximately 48% of the municipal tax base in 2009. In 2025, that figure grew to 68%. Over that same 15 year period, the share contributed by heavy and light industry declined from approximately 42% to 18%, and these figures are from before the Crofton Mill closure announcement. The result is straightforward: homeowners are carrying a much larger share of the tax burden. We need to be much more proactive about economic development. North Cowichan has an opportunity to attract responsible commercial and industrial investment, help existing businesses grow, and create more family-supporting jobs. Doing that successfully will broaden our tax base, create opportunities for younger generations and help reduce the pressure on residential taxpayers over the long term. As your mayor, I will create an Economic Development Roundtable to help turn our potential into action. Rather than starting by creating another permanent committee, I want to get the right people around the table for the right conversation and hear directly from the people who build, invest, employ and create opportunity in North Cowichan. Who we need to hear from may change depending on the issue; from agriculture and forestry to development, manufacturing, tourism and small business. These focused, invitation-based roundtables would help identify barriers and opportunities and explore practical solutions. Their role would be to inform council's decision-making, not replace it. They would have no authority to direct staff, spend municipal money or approve projects. Where an idea requires municipal action, it would be brought forward through the appropriate public engagement and council process. Those conversations also need to lead to action. We need to look at how North Cowichan can better support existing businesses, attract new investment and make better use of lands already designated for employment and economic development. Strategic infrastructure investments in areas such as Tansor, Bings Creek, and the Bell McKinnon areas, for example, could help unlock economic opportunity without expanding development into the natural areas we value. The objective isn't for government to create businesses. It's to make North Cowichan one of the easiest places on Vancouver Island to start, grow and expand one. A stronger tax base isn't about growth for growth's sake. It's about building a stronger local economy, creating good jobs and opportunities, and helping keep North Cowichan affordable for the people who live here.
A SAFER COMMUNITY
that welcomes business and strengthens neighbourhoods. You deserve to feel safe in your neighbourhoods, parks, businesses and downtowns. At the same time, people struggling with homelessness, addiction and mental illness need a system that gives them a real path toward stability, treatment, recovery and housing. North Cowichan can't solve these challenges alone. Many of the resources we need …mental health care, addiction treatment, recovery services and supportive housing are primarily the responsibility of senior governments. But there’s more we can do locally. We already have many good people and organizations doing important work in Cowichan. The challenge is making sure those efforts work together as a coordinated system, with clear responsibilities and measurable results. 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, businesses and community representatives to identify the gaps, determine who is responsible for what, and collectively set clear goals that are communicated, measured, and reported. We need a clearer pathway that helps people move from crisis toward stabilization, treatment, recovery and appropriate housing. That means advocating strongly for more treatment and mental-health capacity in Cowichan and recognizing that different people need different solutions. Emergency shelter, treatment, recovery housing, supportive housing and independent affordable housing each serve different needs. Compassion also needs to be balanced with public safety and reasonable expectations for our shared public spaces. Homelessness itself is not a crime, but violence, threatening behaviour, property crime and serious public disorder cannot simply be accepted. North Cowichan needs to make effective use of the tools available to us, including bylaw enforcement, policing and community partnerships, and safer, better-maintained public spaces. And we need to know whether what we're doing is actually working. I will push for clear goals and regular public reporting focused on outcomes, not simply how much money was spent or how many programs were created. Are fewer people living chronically on the street? Are more people getting into treatment and recovery? Are people successfully moving into stable housing? Are our public spaces becoming safer? Finally, we don't need to reinvent every solution ourselves. Communities such as Nanaimo and Victoria have years of experience dealing with many of these same challenges. I want North Cowichan to deliberately learn from what has worked elsewhere - and just as importantly, what hasn't - before spending more money or repeating approaches that have failed. North Cowichan can't solve addiction, mental illness or homelessness by itself. But we can lead a better coordinated local response, advocate strongly for the resources our community needs, protect our public spaces and effect measurable results.
COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
that strengthens relationships between First Nations, residents, and local government. Our people want important decisions made WITH them, not FOR them. Strong communities are built on trust. Residents deserve to be heard before major decisions are made, not after. Building strong, lasting relationships with First Nations is also key. Many of the issues that will shape our future, from housing and economic development to environmental stewardship, recreation, transportation, and long-term planning, don't stop at municipal boundaries. We'll make better decisions when we're willing to sit down together early, listen to one another, and look for solutions that benefit our communities. Good relationships are built by showing up, being honest, listening with curiosity, and treating each other with respect, even when perspectives differ. People won't always agree on every issue, but they need to know their voices were genuinely listened to and thoughtfully considered. As your mayor, I will listen first, communicate clearly, treat people with respect, and bring different perspectives together to find practical solutions. I will work to strengthen public engagement, foster a more collaborative culture at the council table, and help strengthen relationships between residents, First Nations, and local government. Good leadership is about bringing people together to move our community forward. United, not divided.
The Bottom Line
EVERYTHING CONNECTS BACK TO AFFORDABILITY
Every decision council makes should answer one simple question:
Does this make life more affordable for North Cowichan families?
As your mayor, this is the standard to which I will hold council accountable.
Better infrastructure = lower long-term costs
Better planning = lower taxes
More businesses = broader tax base
Faster approvals = more investment
Better jobs = stronger economy
MEET CHRIS WILKINSON
A neighbour, not a career politician.
I stand for steady leadership, fiscal responsibility, respectful dialogue, community safety, and a North Cowichan that's resilient, connected, and built for the future.
I'm running because I believe our community is at a turning point — and leadership should be approachable, collaborative, and forward-looking.
I will lead by:
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Listening first and respecting differing points of view.
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Using facts and community input to guide decisions.
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Finding common ground where possible.
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Bringing people together to get results for North Cowichan.
BETTER TOGETHER
Every voice helps shape North Cowichan.
This campaign runs on neighbours helping neighbours. Whether you've got an hour, a driveway for a sign, or a spot at your kitchen table — there's a way for you to help.
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KIND WORDS FROM THE COMMUNITY
What people say about Chris.
Chris is someone I trust completely. He shows up for his clients, family and the community. He leads with heart, integrity, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.
Jana Nagy,
Training Specialist
Chris is an incredibly hard working person who consistently demonstrates a willingness to learn and further develop himself, both as a leader and mentor. He is a strong communicator with deep-rooted beliefs in enriching community, promoting teamwork and sharing ideas in an inclusive environment.
Chris Bayley,
Local Business Owner
I've had the chance to work alongside Chris in a lot of different settings, such as business gatherings, trainings, and community conversations, and one quality shows up every time: he knows how to bring a room together. Plenty of people can talk. Chris listens. He has an ability to cut through the noise to find the true issue, and then he leans on the right people to solve it through genuine collaboration, not top-down decisions. This is what good local leadership looks like.
Matt Huotari,
Local Business Owner
In every setting, Chris consistently brings genuine curiosity, thoughtful engagement, and a willingness to learn and grow. He is someone who listens carefully, considers different perspectives, and approaches challenges with integrity and respect. He is a person of strong character who genuinely cares about people and the well-being of his community. Chris is a leader, through and through.
Sheila Leclerc,
Local Business Owner
I've known Chris for more than 20 years, going back to when he helped my mom with her physical training. I've always respected his character and the way he’s involved with our community. As a fellow local business owner, I have confidence in his forward-thinking leadership and trust he'll do a great job as Mayor of North Cowichan.
Vote for Chris!
Kuljeet Thiara,
Pharmacist & Local Business Owner