Committees & Commissions

The CVRD has a number of committees and commissions that provide advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

There are three different categories:

• Standing Committees are made up of Chair-appointed Board members who advise the Board on specific issues and then carry out the Board’s instructions on those issues.
• Select Committees are established by the Board to consider and report on a specific issue, after which the committee is disbanded.
• Commissions are created by the Board to operate a CVRD service under a Board-mandated bylaw.

Regional Recreation Commissions

The following four sub-regional Recreation Commissions were established in 2023:

• Cowichan Core Recreation Commission
• Cowichan Lake Recreation Commission
• Cowichan North Recreation Commission
• Cowichan South Recreation Commission

The Commissions were established after the 2022 Regional Recreation referendum that changed the way the following nine regionally-significant recreation facilities were funded to a usage-based model.

• Cowichan Aquatic Centre
• Cowichan Community Centre
• Cowichan Lake Sports Arena
• Cowichan Performing Arts Centre
• Cowichan Sportsplex
• Frank Jameson Community Centre
• Fuller Lake Arena
• Kerry Park Recreation Centre
• Shawnigan Lake Community Centre

Each of the Recreation Commissions has governing authority over the regionally-significant recreation facilities located in their sub-region.

Commission meetings are open to the public and those interested are encouraged to attend.  Please see our meeting calendar for more information on Recreation Commission meeting schedules. 

Parks Advisory Commissions

Each Electoral Area within the CVRD has a Parks Advisory Commission made up of local residents who provide advice to the CVRD Board on matters such as:

• Community parkland acquisition opportunities;
• Trail and park development;
• Environmental enhancement; and
• Local community parks events.

Commission meetings are open to the public, and those interested are welcome to attend as observers. While the public may listen to the meeting, participation in Commission discussion is not part of the meeting unless specifically invited. Please see our meeting calendar for Parks Advisory Commission meeting schedules.