Childcare centre fee waiver
Asked the Town to waive or cover $144,554 in fees for a new 75-space childcare centre.
- Asked
- $144,554
- Received
- $0
- Times at Council
- 2
- Where it stands
- Referred to 2027.
Who asked
Qualicum School District.
What they asked for
Waive development and building permit fees for a new 75-space childcare centre at Qualicum Beach Elementary, and pay Town-assessed fees from the community development account.
How the amount breaks down: Fees already paid: Town development cost charges $43,588.17 + Regional District development cost charges $38,239.12 + building permit and other fees $62,726.86 = $144,554.15.
The centre opens in early 2027. The project cost rose from $4,937,100 to $5,069,840. The provincial ChildCareBC maximum is $5,018,927.29, leaving a $50,912.71 shortfall for the playground and equipment. On Sep 9, 2026, staff offered Council the option of a one-time contribution of up to $50,912.71 from 2026 surplus.
What Council decided
Jul 31: postponed, to ask how the Town can charge development cost charges on institutional development. Sep 9: referred to 2027 Strategic Planning.
How they voted: Jul 31: moved by Harrison, seconded by Westbroek. Unanimous. Sep 9: vote not yet public (minutes not posted).
Reason given
Provincial law (Local Government Act s. 563) does not allow the fee waiver for this development. There is no budget to pay the Regional District’s charges on the School District’s behalf. Town Policy 3000-6 prohibits grants-in-aid.
Reasons are paraphrased from the minutes and staff reports, not direct quotes.
Timeline
- Special Council
- Regular Council
Sources
Official Town of Qualicum Beach documents. They open as PDFs on qualicumbeach.com.
- Special Council agenda, Jul 31, 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Special Council minutes, Jul 31, 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Regular Council agenda and staff reports, Sep 9, 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Council Corner, Sep 9, 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Last checked September 18, 2026. Report a mistake.