Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G

The Regional District of Nanaimo is undertaking a Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G, which includes the communities of Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum and Dashwood. The map below shows the study area.

The Community Issues Assessment aims to provide residents with an understanding of the current system of governance in the RDN Electoral Area G, and to identify whether there are any key issues or emerging trends. Depending on the results of the Community Issues Assessment, further study may be considered to assess ways to address them.

Because many of Electoral Area G’s residents live on the outskirts of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, it is not clear to what extent the community understands its current governance and service delivery arrangements, which include a mix of municipal, regional district, provincial, improvement district and private water services. In situations like this, the Ministry recommends that a Community Issues Assessment be undertaken before any further governance work is completed.

The core objectives of the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G are to:

  • Identify and describe the different roles, responsibilities and jurisdictions of service providers;
  • Assemble information on existing service delivery arrangements and governance relationships;
  • Identify current and emerging issues and pressures related to services as seen by residents;
  • Better understand how decisions are made and the relationships between service providers;
  • Provide opportunities for residents, property owners, improvement district and First Nations to articulate the issues they see in Electoral Area G; and
  • Summarize findings for consideration by the RDN Board.

The Community Issues Assessment began in November 2024 and is anticipated to be complete by June 2025.

For more information and to share your thoughts:

The Regional District of Nanaimo is undertaking a Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G, which includes the communities of Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum and Dashwood. The map below shows the study area.

The Community Issues Assessment aims to provide residents with an understanding of the current system of governance in the RDN Electoral Area G, and to identify whether there are any key issues or emerging trends. Depending on the results of the Community Issues Assessment, further study may be considered to assess ways to address them.

Because many of Electoral Area G’s residents live on the outskirts of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, it is not clear to what extent the community understands its current governance and service delivery arrangements, which include a mix of municipal, regional district, provincial, improvement district and private water services. In situations like this, the Ministry recommends that a Community Issues Assessment be undertaken before any further governance work is completed.

The core objectives of the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G are to:

  • Identify and describe the different roles, responsibilities and jurisdictions of service providers;
  • Assemble information on existing service delivery arrangements and governance relationships;
  • Identify current and emerging issues and pressures related to services as seen by residents;
  • Better understand how decisions are made and the relationships between service providers;
  • Provide opportunities for residents, property owners, improvement district and First Nations to articulate the issues they see in Electoral Area G; and
  • Summarize findings for consideration by the RDN Board.

The Community Issues Assessment began in November 2024 and is anticipated to be complete by June 2025.

For more information and to share your thoughts:

  • Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G Final Report

    On July 22, 2025, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board passed the following motions:

    1. It was moved and seconded that the Board receive the Electoral Area G Community Issues Assessment Final Report by Neilson Strategies and Leftside Partners Inc., dated July 2025, and forward it to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

    2. It was moved and seconded that the Board send correspondence to the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach to determine their interest in and support for commencing discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs on next steps for a study or studies that explore the potential opportunity for municipal boundary adjustments to encompass the French Creek portion of Electoral Area G, possibly as a multi-staged process that assesses cost impacts, potential funding support, benefits and opportunities before determining whether to proceed to a public engagement process.

    More information from the Board meeting can be found by clicking the following link to view the Agenda, Minutes and Video.

    The Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G Final Report can be viewed by clicking the link.


  • Last call to submit your community survey

    Submit a community survey to share your input about local services and governance within Area G by May 19, 2025.

    How to submit the survey:

    1. Submit the survey online at https://www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/eag-cia

    2. By email: eagcia@rdn.bc.ca

    3. By mail: Attn: Electoral Area G Community Issues Assessment Team, Regional District of Nanaimo, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N2

    4. Or, In-person:

    • Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Building, located 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo.
    • Ravensong Aquatic Centre, located 737 Jones St, Qualicum Beach.
    • Oceanside Place, located 8 30 Island Hwy W, Parksville.

  • Watch the presentation from the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G community discussion

    If you missed the presentation at the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G community discussions, it is now online. Click here to watch!

  • We want to hear from you!

    The Community Issues Assessment relies on input from residents about local government services and governance. Provide your feedback by filling out the survey between April 9 and May 19, 2025.
    To submit the survey online, residents can click this link!

    This survey is intended to gather input from Electoral Area G residents about local services and governance within Electoral Area G. Feedback from this survey will be summarized for the Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors.

  • Community Meeting Date Change

    Due to the 2025 Canadian federal election being held on April 28, the Community Meeting scheduled on that day has now been rescheduled to:

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025
    6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
    Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
    747 Jones St., Qualicum Beach

  • Save the Date!

    Community meetings for the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G have now been scheduled!

    The Community Issues Assessment will provide residents with information about Electoral Area G’s current system of governance and improve awareness about how services are provided in the area. The study will help to identify key issues and shared interests in the community.

    While each meeting will present similar information, Area G residents are encouraged to attend the meeting closest to their community to discuss their local issues.

    • Updated to April 29 (to not conflict with federal election) April 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre (747 Jones St, Qualicum Beach).
      (Focus on Dashwood, Little Qualicum, Surfside, Bird Streets and Hilliers)
    • May 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Tigh-Na-Mara (1155 Resort Dr, Parksville)
      (Focus on San Pareil, River's Edge, and Martindale Road, Forneau Way, Wildgreen Way, and Coldwater Road)
    • May 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the École Oceanside Elementary School (980 Wright Rd, Parksville)
      (Focus on French Creek)

    Click here to subscribe to this project and receive email notifications on the latest updates.

  • Consultant Selected for Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G

    The Regional District of Nanaimo is pleased to announce that it has secured the services of Neilson Strategies Inc. and Leftside Partners Inc. to lead the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G.

    The Community Issues Assessment will provide residents with information on Electoral Area G’s current system of governance and improve awareness about how services are provided in the community. It will help identify shared interests and opportunities that may lead to further targeted governance work in Electoral Area G.

    The community engagement phase is expected to take place between February and April 2025 and will provide opportunities for Electoral Area G residents, First Nations, the improvement district, private water utilities, Parksville and Qualicum Beach with opportunities to learn more and provide feedback. As the study unfolds this website will be updated. Register and subscribe by following this project to receive email notifications on the latest updates.

  • Provincial Approval

    On March 13, 2024, correspondence was received from Minister Kang awarding a grant of $45,000 for a Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G.

  • How it Started

    In June 2021, the Board directed staff to explore the possibility of a restructure study for Electoral Area G in response to community concerns including changing demographics, population growth, confusing boundaries, uneven service mix, and dissatisfaction with service delivery mechanisms.

    On September 28, 2021, the Board directed that a Governance and Services Study be requested for Electoral Area G. In November 2021, the RDN submitted a formal request to the Ministry, seeking approval and funding for a Governance and Services Study.

Page last updated: 24 Jul 2025, 11:25 AM