The Town of Sidney, British Columbia, has updated its local goals for 2026 to include a new emergency weather shelter and new construction rules for homes near the water. Council members finalized these changes in January 2026 to address immediate community needs regarding safety during extreme weather and rising sea levels.
One main goal is to explore opening an emergency weather shelter at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Fourth Street. This project will likely require the town to change the land-use rules for the church property, which would involve a public meeting where residents can share their thoughts on the plan. While this long-term solution is being developed, the town is currently using the Nell Horth Room on Resthaven Drive as a temporary warming centre during periods of extreme cold.
The town is also creating a new law that sets required elevation levels for new buildings along the shoreline to prevent flooding. These rules will apply to the roughly 9.5 kilometres of coastline in Sidney to help protect properties from water damage as sea levels change.
The updated plan also includes work on a new law to protect renters from being forced out of their homes when buildings are redeveloped. This Tenant Protection Bylaw remains an ongoing priority for the council to address housing stability for local residents.
