Doug Holmes has entered his final year of local governance management work following a lengthy career. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

next chapter

Outgoing RDN leader reflects on tenure as retirement nears

Mar 1, 2026 | 6:46 AM

NANAIMO — After being hired in 2021 to lead the Regional District of Nanaimo, chief administrative officer said it felt like the right time to move onto the next phase of his life.

That time, however, isn’t projected until early next year, allowing the RDN ample time to coordinate a smooth transition.

“Offering as much heads up as possible was important to me,” Doug Holmes told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Advance notice will be appreciated by all parties involved, given the importance of the position and monumental challenges involved with heading a sizeable multi-jurisdictional government during uncertain economic times.

A top barrier is finances.

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Like most local governments in the province, the RDN leans heavily on local taxpayers, particularly over the last several years.

Construction materials and labour costs in particular have soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, Holmes said.

“In over 30 years I’ve been in local government, I’ve never seen an escalation like this before, and that’s really challenging us in our financial plan.”

Total tax requisition in the RDN has shot up from $60 million in 2020, to the over $95 million approved during last week’s endorsed 2026 budget and five-year financial plan.

Calling property taxation “a fairly blunt instrument,” Holmes said local governments would benefit from other reliable revenue streams.

“But, we all know that if that means the province has to give up some certain consumption tax room or other areas of funding then that means it’s money that comes out of their financing tools.”

The RDN is proceeding on significant current and future infrastructure commitments, including big-ticket wastewater projects, as well as vastly bolstering resources for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD).

NRHD budgets, funded solely by regional taxpayers between Cedar and Bowser, have skyrocketed in recent years, with that trend expected to continue.

Following a reduced hike of 21 per cent more secured from taxpayers last year, this year’s NRHD provisional budget calls for nearly $50 million added to hospital board coffers, which is forecast to grow to $80 million in 2030.

The aggressive approach to provide 40 per cent of funding for increasingly expensive capital health projects is leading to results.

Holmes pointed to the opening of the 12-bed high acuity unit at Nanaimo hospital, construction underway for a regional cancer centre, and advancing toward the detailed design phase of building a 306-bed long term care home in Lantzville.

“The efforts for advocacy seem to be working well and when those things are built that will serve this region and beyond for generations to come,” Holmes said, who pointed out there is momentum toward a new patient tower and modernized cardiac care at Nanaimo hospital.

He’s curious to see what direction and financial priorities the RDN takes in the years ahead.

“It is really up to the board to set the direction, including setting services levels, and with a municipal election will come fresh ideas, perhaps a change in course and that will dictate what the barriers and opportunities might be for the next CAO.”

Following an extended career in leadership staff roles in local governments in Alberta and B.C., Holmes is nearing the end of his career.

However, he opened the door to potentially re-appear, albeit in reduced capacity.

“It’s time for me to think about no longer working fulltime, I may stay involved in the profession in the future, but not as a fulltime employee — so that’s what it really came down to.”

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