Port Alberni City Council met on April 20, 2026, to review key municipal projects and long-term planning, including progress on an alternative emergency highway route, ongoing waste management programs, and new developments for senior housing.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is moving forward with efforts to establish an alternative route for Highway 4, a project deemed critical after recent wildfire-related closures like the 2023 incident at Cameron Bluffs left the region isolated. The district has set aside $75,000 to lobby the provincial government and identified three potential routes as of April 2, 2026. These routes are currently under review as the district seeks to ensure reliable access for the region.
In addition to regional infrastructure, the city continues to manage its Sort’nGo waste collection program. Residents remain on the established schedule, which provides weekly collection for organics and alternating bi-weekly pickup for garbage and recycling. This program has been in place since September 2021 as part of the city’s broader waste diversion efforts.
Council also addressed the growing demand for senior housing, noting that 1,220 new units are needed in the community over the next five years. Following a public hearing on March 23, 2026, the city is moving ahead with plans to rezone properties at 6123 and 6151 Russell Place. This change to a new care campus zone is designed to facilitate the development of affordable housing for seniors, including a 31-unit expansion proposal for Tsawaayus Rainbow Gardens.
These discussions follow the official adoption of the city’s 2026-2030 financial plan on February 9, 2026. The city continues to balance service delivery with long-term financial stability following a 2025 budget that included a 13.98 percent tax rate increase for the average single-family home.
