CFIB urges Cowichan Valley Regional District to reconsider Proposed Zoning Bylaw No. 4710

April 14, 2026

Board of Directors
Cowichan Valley Regional District
175 Ingram Street, Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 1N8
Via chairperson@cvrd.bc.ca; cvrd@cvrd.bc.ca; legislativeservices@cvrd.bc.ca

Subject: Proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw No. 4710 and impacts on small businesses

Dear CVRD Board of Directors,

As you may know, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing more than 103,000 small- and medium-sized businesses across Canada, including over 10,000 in British Columbia with many operating throughout the Cowichan Valley. We are writing to raise concerns with the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s (CVRD) proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw No. 4710 and the real‑world impacts it will have on local small businesses if adopted in its current form.

We have heard from CFIB members expressing concern that the proposed bylaw would result in having to severely curtail or cease their ongoing business operations. Furthermore, agricultural and agritourism businesses operating on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land would be subjected unnecessary and duplicative rules that go far beyond the already-stringent policies governing ALR land. We are concerned that the proposed bylaw creates uncertainty around existing operations and risks shutting down legitimate small businesses that have been part of the local economy for years.

Small businesses affected by the proposed bylaw include agritourism operators, on‑farm retail, food trucks, hobby farms, and other locally owned enterprises that rely on diversified business models to stay afloat. CFIB is also concerned that activities currently allowed or long tolerated may become prohibited or restricted through omission, without any clear justification.

B.C. is currently facing an entrepreneurial drought, with more businesses having closed down or left the province than opened up shop for the last six consecutive quarters. Local small businesses operate with limited margins and little ability to absorb abrupt regulatory changes in B.C.’s challenging business environment with increasing tax, regulatory and cost pressures. When zoning rules change quickly, or without clear accommodation for existing uses, the result is often lost jobs, reduced investment, and fewer local services. The outcomes of the proposed Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw run counter to the CVRD’s broader goals around economic resilience, food security, and healthy rural communities and further contribute to B.C.’s entrepreneurial drought and declining small business confidence.

CFIB is asking the CVRD Board to reconsider the current draft of Bylaw No. 4710 and ensure proper consultation with small businesses to ensure that zoning rules permit, rather than penalize, small business activity. Additionally, no restrictions should be imposed on ALR land above and beyond what is already required by Agricultural Land Commission law and policy. In particular, there is a need for clear recognition of existing operations and for meaningful consultation that reflects the input of those who will be directly affected.

We urge the Board to preserve current small business uses, reconsider provisions that limit diversified rural enterprises, and work directly with business owners to identify practical revisions. Taking additional time now to address these concerns will help avoid long‑term economic harm and restore confidence that local voices are being heard.

CFIB looks forward to working constructively with the Cowichan Valley Regional District as this process continues. We would welcome the opportunity to share direct member feedback and discuss options that support both good planning and a thriving small business community.

Sincerely,

Cc:

Members of the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board of Directors

Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), MLA, Cowichan Valley

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For media enquiries please contact Kalith Nanayakkara at Kalith.Nanayakkara@cfib.ca

About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.