Councillor Damian Kowalewich to Step Down from View Royal Council

March 17, 2026

The Town of View Royal announces that Councillor Damian Kowalewich will step down from Council effective March 31, 2026, as he prepares to take on a new role as Deputy Chief of the Saanich Police Department.

First elected in a 2017 by-election, Kowalewich was re-elected in both the 2018 and 2022 municipal elections.

Mayor Sid Tobias expressed his appreciation for Councillor Kowalewich’s years of service and dedication to the View Royal community.

“Councillor Kowalewich is simply irreplaceable on Council. His dedication, integrity, and leadership have set a very high bar for service to the Town of View Royal. His passion for recreation and youth development across the West Shore will be reflected in the generations that follow, leaving a lasting legacy of teamwork and community building,” said Tobias.

“Serving as a Councillor for the Town of View Royal has been a true privilege, one I never took lightly, and a responsibility I approached with deep respect for the rights and trust of residents,” said Kowalewich.

During his time on Council, Kowalewich supported initiatives that balanced growth with neighbourhood character and long-term community needs. He also highlighted his time as Chair of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society as particularly meaningful, noting that access to recreation and shared spaces plays an important role in building healthy, connected communities.

A View Royal resident for 17 years, Kowalewich has also been active in the community through volunteer service, including coaching and refereeing minor hockey, coordinating Special Olympics charity events, and serving as President of the Saanich Volunteer Services Society and Chairperson of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Federal Corrections.

Reflecting on his time in public office, Kowalewich emphasized the importance of community engagement and thoughtful leadership.

“Serving on Council brought me closer to the community by reminding me that behind every decision are people, families, and neighbourhoods. It strengthened my appreciation for how engaged residents are, and how important it is for local leaders to listen well, work together, and stay grounded in the community’s shared values.”

Under the Local Government Act, a Council may decide not to hold a by-election if a vacancy occurs after January 1 in the year of a general local election and other conditions are met. As those conditions apply in this case, Kowalewich’s Council seat will likely remain vacant until the next local general election on October 17, 2026.

The Town hopes Kowalewich’s example of public service will encourage residents to consider participating in local government.

“Local government is strongest when people from different backgrounds and experiences step forward,” said Kowalewich. “You don’t need to have all the answers, what matters most is being open minded, willing to listen, and resilient enough to work through differing views with respect. If you care about your community and are prepared to learn, collaborate, and stay grounded when things get challenging, you can make a meaningful contribution.”

Looking ahead, Kowalewich said he hopes to see continued community leadership in View Royal.

“My hope is that View Royal keeps growing in a way that reflects the people who live here; thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded. As the next election approaches, I’m hopeful we’ll see lots of folks step up, bringing fresh ideas and energy into local leadership.”

More information about the October 17, 2026 local general election will be shared by the Town of View Royal in the coming months. For more, visit www.viewroyal.ca/election. 

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