RDCK and CUPE Locals 748 & 2262 Ratify New Collective Agreement
Following several months of negotiations, the RDCK and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 748 and 2262 have successfully ratified a new three-year collective agreement. The agreement includes general wage increases of 6.2% in 2024, 3.9% in 2025, and 3.4% in 2026.
This agreement includes some of the RDCK’s recreation facility workers in Castlegar, Creston and Nelson and gate attendants at our resource recovery locations. The three-year agreement is effective March 1, 2024, until February 28, 2027.
Remuneration Committee
The Board appointed Directors Graham (Electoral Area E), Hanegraaf (Electoral Area J), Hewat (Village of Kaslo), and McFaddin (City of Castlegar) to a select committee to review the Chair, Directors, and Alternate Directors Remuneration Bylaw No. 2710. This bylaw establishes the rates of compensation for the duties of RDCK elected officials. The bylaw requires that a review be completed early in each year a local government election, with any changes to be effective January 1 of the year following the election. The next local election is October 2026.
Emergency and Disaster Management Act – Indigenous Engagement Regional Project
The Board awarded the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) Indigenous Engagement Regional Project to Ember Leaf Consulting Inc. Under EDMA, municipalities and regional districts are required to consult and cooperate with Indigenous Governing Bodies (IGBs) in a culturally aware and inclusive manner across all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The work is funded by the Provincial government. As well, local authorities must work collaboratively with IGBs to identify portions of traditional territories or treaty lands that fall within their emergency management jurisdiction. The RDCK has partnered with seven municipalities (Castlegar, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, Salmo, Silverton, and Slocan) to pursue a collaborative, regionally coordinated approach.
Flood Hazard Policy & Regulations Review
The Board received an overview presentation of the RDCK’s Floodplain Bylaw Review project, including the Village of Salmo. The objective of the project, which started in July 2025, is to update floodplain bylaws to incorporate hazard mapping completed since 2019 and consider best practices related to hazard and risk management.
The floodplain management bylaw and associated hazard maps are foundational for land use decisions across the RDCK, informing building permit and subdivision approvals, hazard policy in Official Community Plans, and zoning regulations.
Flood and steep creek hazards continue to persist with events growing more frequent and potentially more damaging due to climate change. The RDCK has undertaken several studies over the last six years to characterize flood and steep creek (debris-flood and debris flow) geohazards; a risk prioritization study in 2019, floodplain and steep creek study in 2020, and flood and geohazard mitigation planning in 2021-2023.
The project is scheduled to be completed in June 2026. To stay informed, go to: Floodplain Management Bylaw Update | Engage RDCK
Live Fire Training Centre
The Board approved the RDCK enter into a facility rental agreement with Selkirk College for use of the existing Live Fire Training Centre for the period of August 13, 2025, to August 13, 2026. Located at the Silver King campus in Nelson, the facility consists of established structures, vehicle props, and other firefighting props that allow fire training officers to train volunteer firefighters in a realistic and practical manner. This training allows fire service volunteer firefighters to meet the requirements of their service levels in addition to the BC Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards.
Without access to a local training facility, this required training would need to be outsourced to third party providers which is cost and logistically prohibitive.
Inland Ferries
The Board Chair will write a letter on behalf of the RDCK Board to the Premier of British Columbia and the Minister of Transportation and Transit to request an update on the progress being made regarding the RDCK’s letter requesting Provincial legislation that inland ferry services are categorized as essential services for the residents of British Columbia. This includes essential service orders for daily sailings of the Kootenay Lake, Glade Cable, Harrop Cable, Needles Cable, Arrow Park Cable, and Upper Arrow Lake ferries.
As well the Board Chair will write a letter on behalf of the Board to the Province asking to ensure all inland ferry communities who rely solely on the ferry for access to their community are entitled to the same legal status as roads, highways, and bridges to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community served.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the September reports in the Board minutes.
RDCK Quarterly Report
For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.