December 3, 2025
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: December 1, 2025
Sidney BC
Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to sidney.civicweb.net/Portal for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.
Council directs staff to continue efforts to find location and service provider to support people experiencing homelessness during extreme winter weather
Council have directed staff to continue looking for a suitable site and service provider to create an Extreme Weather Response Shelter or overnight warming centre in Sidney to provide a safe place for people experiencing homelessness during severe winter weather.
In January 2025, Council authorized staff to pursue a shelter activated during severe weather. On September 2025, a Public Hearing was held to gather community input on a proposal to operate the shelter in a separate space at Wakefield Manor, managed and operated by Beacon Community Services. Due to significant public concern related to safety, Council did not approve the required Zoning Bylaw changes.
Staff will return in mid-January 2026 with a report outlining potential alternative options.
Mayor encourages community to get involved in upcoming engagement period for proposed transit changes
On November 18, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission passed a motion to proceed to public engagement on a proposal to improve transit connections between Victoria, the Victoria International Airport, and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. The plan would not be supported by new funding or added service. Instead, it relies on reconfiguring existing routes that currently serve the Sidney community.
Below is an excerpt from remarks made by Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith at the December 1, 2025 Sidney Council Meeting:
“I am deeply concerned with transit service reductions for our residents and workers. Improved airport connectivity is an important goal, but it should only be pursued as part of an overall increase in service, not by reducing service to local riders. This sacrifice of Sidney transit service impacts equity and runs counter to the primary purpose of a regional transit service. I will be advocating that the proposed plan not be approved and that direct service to the airport be considered further at the time the Peninsula RapidBus service is being established. I strongly encourage Sidney residents and workers to share their perspectives during the upcoming consultation period.”
The engagement period is expected to begin in early 2026, with additional details to come. It will include opportunities for Sidney Council, stakeholders, and members of the public to provide input. BC Transit will incorporate feedback received through consultation into the 2026/27 Annual Service Plan, which will be considered by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in March 2026.
Victoria Regional Transit Commission Staff Report on Airport Service Options
Council directs staff to prepare an updated Development Cost Charge Bylaw following consultation with development community
Council has directed staff to prepare an updated Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw for consideration to replace the outdated 1998 version, which falls short of ensuring that new development contributes appropriately to the cost of growth-related infrastructure, including water, sewer, drainage, parks, and roads.
The updated rates, which reflect engagement with the development community, would remain lower than most in the region, helping keep Sidney an attractive place to build.
If the new DCC bylaw is given three readings by Council, it will be submitted to the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities for review and approval. The revised rates are estimated to generate over $22 million over the next 20 years to assist with the costs of growth-related infrastructure.