The Town of Lake Cowichan has given its support to a proposed Cowichan Valley Regional District bylaw regarding funding for the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society.
The bylaw drafted states that each home in the CVRD will provide $0.41 per $100,000 assessed value towards the society each year.
Chief administrator presented the bylaw for council’s approval at last Tuesday’s regular council meeting at the town hall and Coun. Tim McGonigle, the town’s CVRD representative, spoke to it before voting.
“For the previous two years, the hospice society has approached the CVRD for a grant-in-aid,” said McGonigle at the meeting. “They have been successful both years ($50,000 in 203, $48,555 in 2014). I approved that too.”
McGonigle confirmed that the proposed bylaw would have to undergo public consultation before being passed.
Council voted unanimously to support it after McGonigle moved a motion for endorsement, which seconded by Coun. Jayne Ingram.
“Right now the hospice is relying on contributions and gaming grants and they are dwindling,” said McGonigle.
At the May 14 CVRD board meeting, the board of directors passed a resolution stating “an annual financial contribution service be established, over the whole of the CVRD, for the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, with a maximum annual requisition limit of $62,500.”
“There were 37 people treated by the hospice society in Lake Cowichan last year,” said Mayor Ross Forrest speaking in support of the bylaw.
