It has been a sometimes-stressful role serving on an often-divided council, but Chris Istace is ready to sign up for another four years.
Istace, owner of Beyond the Usual in downtown Chemainus, has announced he will be running in this fall’s municipal election.
On his Facebook page, Istace, the lone Chemainiac on council, said his approach has been to look at the municipality as a whole. He said he tried to approach the decision-making process with “long-term thinking to benefit as many residents as possible while not alienating or ignoring the many diverse voices.”
Throughout the latest term, council has often been split along clear lines, with four councillors, Tek Manhas, Bruce Findlay, Mike Caljouw and newcomer Becky Hogg winning crucial votes on issues Mayor Rob Douglas, Istace and Christopher Justice have opposing points of view on.
Istace concedes the situation can be frustrating at times.
“A divided council does not serve the community,” he suggests. “Bridging gaps, working towards consensus and commonalities, all with a pragmatic and future focused approach perspective was my intention from the start.”
Istace took strong stances on several issues, including housing, the environment, the relationship with Cowichan Tribes and other First Nations, and financial matters and says he is proud of his efforts.
“We had some hurdles along the way but for myself, I feel good about what was achieved and how I handled myself based on my commitments and priorities.”
Istace says he has identified a list of priorities that he is turning into campaign commitments heading into the Oct. 15, 2026 election. The list includes:
• Support for infill developments in existing communities to grow local business and meet market housing demands to increase affordability.
• Support for small business and the local economy to foster a more resilient and engaged region.
• Improving the working relationship with local Cowichan First Nations in all matters that affect their communities by including engagement and consultation as a core principle.
• Engage provincial and federal governments to return to building social housing that they were once strongly committed to.
• Continue to strengthen our region’s biking and walking infrastructure, most notably by continuing the creation of our updated Transportation Master Plan.
• Adapt proactively to climate change by tackling systems and policies that lack resilience.
• Preserve greenfield (undeveloped) areas and protect sensitive habitats..
• Understand the cost of building our communities outwards versus inwards. Every new road, water line, sewer line, pathway, park, sidewalk, and piece of municipal infrastructure creates a future maintenance cost that must be covered.
• Use my career experience in developing operational and capital budgets, and my small business experience to aid council in spending funds effectively.
• Continue to support the regional recreation infrastructure in which North Cowichan has endeavoured to invest.
In Chemainus, Istace says he’d like to see council begin work on an updated Chemainus Revitalization Plan now that the Official Community Plan work is complete.
“We need to work together as a community to support those in need like residents trying to afford a stable place to live, needing access to transit, wanting to walk and ride, concerned about cost of living, wanting local employment opportunities, and concerned about our changing climate in the valley and elsewhere. My goal is to serve every person in North Cowichan.”
Election day is Oct.15 and Chemainus voters will cast their ballots at the Chemainus Seniors Centre at 9824 Willow Street.