Duncan and North Cowichan Tackle Rising Street Disorder Challenges

Concerns over increasing street disorder in the City of Duncan and the Municipality of North Cowichan were addressed during a joint council meeting on November 27, 2023. Officials emphasized their commitment to addressing these challenges, while also highlighting the limitations of municipal authority in tackling issues that extend beyond their jurisdiction.

At the meeting, Paige MacWilliam, Duncan’s deputy Chief Administrative Officer and director of corporate services, articulated the constraints faced by local governments. She explained that a significant portion of city services, such as land-use planning, water supply, fire protection, and bylaw enforcement, are limited to immediate service delivery. Many of the pressing issues related to public disorder—such as homelessness, public health, and housing—fall under provincial responsibilities. Additionally, criminal law and Indigenous services are governed by the federal government.

“Frustration is understandable given the level of public disorder we’re experiencing,” MacWilliam stated. She cautioned against misinformation and unfounded accusations that suggest local governments are indifferent to the situation. “This has led some people to believe through this false narrative that the city and all local governments don’t care, and that we’re somehow accepting of this level of community disruption.”

MacWilliam stressed that local governments in Cowichan have been proactive, taking action in various areas despite their limitations. She expressed the need for enhanced public awareness regarding the actions being taken and the specific responsibilities of different government levels in addressing social disorder. “Responding to and correcting these accusations takes time away from the efforts we’re making,” she added.

Collaboration with senior levels of government is crucial, as highlighted by North Cowichan Coun. Mike Caljouw. He noted that residents often look to North Cowichan to address street disorder issues, despite the municipality’s limited capacity. “We’re doing what we can with what we got, and we need to hit up the senior levels of government because, in all reality, it is not within our realm to be dealing with many of these issues, but we have to deal with it,” he remarked.

The interconnectedness of the issues at hand calls for a unified approach. Caljouw emphasized the importance of working collaboratively with senior government officials to develop solutions that benefit both residents and business owners affected by street disorder.

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples, a member of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction’s Municipal Leaders Table, echoed the sentiments regarding the scarcity of resources available to municipalities. She likened their efforts to “putting a band-aid on a waterfall,” indicating the overwhelming challenges that persist across Canadian communities. “We can do the things that we can do, but we really need to have those partnerships [with senior government levels] in place,” Staples said.

Reflecting on past collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic, Staples noted that effective partnerships among all levels of government significantly improved responses to social issues like homelessness and addiction. “When we had the other levels of government working with us, we were able to change things very quickly,” she said. “But right now, that isn’t existing the way that it was before.”

As Duncan and North Cowichan navigate the complexities of street disorder, the call for a coordinated response that involves all levels of government remains critical. Through increased public awareness and collaboration, local officials hope to address the root causes of these challenges effectively.