On March 25, 2026, the Strathcona Regional District board voted 7–6 to move forward with adding Quadra Island to the Strathcona Gardens recreation service area.
If approved, this would add an estimated average of $558 per household per year in new taxes for Quadra residents — a roughly 66% average increase over what households currently pay for all SRD services combined.
The Strathcona Gardens project itself now carries a total cost of approximately $131 million, with borrowing approved in multiple stages after federal funding was denied.
Quadra Island was not included in the planning, consultation, or approval processes that created this financial obligation, and residents have repeatedly requested a referendum. Over 1,200 residents have formally opposed the expansion, representing a significant portion of the community.
If Quadra is added, residents would be contributing nearly $1 million per year toward a facility in Campbell River that requires ferry travel to access, with no clearly established Quadra-specific usage data demonstrating how many residents use the facility.
The Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and the Inspector of Municipalities both have the authority to review this process. The Minister has the power to order a separate referendum for Quadra Island residents, and the Inspector must approve the bylaw before it can be adopted.
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