This is the Town’s reply to my letter of September 24, 2026 asking for clarifications to the Eaglecrest Project FAQ. It came by email on October 2, 2026 through the Town’s public inquiry system. I’ve published it in full, leaving out the Town’s automated inquiry log, the standard email footer and phone numbers.
After the reply, I compare it with each point in my letter.
The Town’s reply
Dear Saleem,
Thank you for your inquiry. Please note that during the election period from September 19 to October 17, Town communications must remain factual, and not directly or indirectly promote or oppose a candidate or elector organization. The Town is following guidance provided by Elections BC. Also, during this time, responses to inquiries may take longer than usual. Please note that if you require a subsequent response, staff will be unable to provide that until after Monday, October 19th given current capacity.
In response to your current questions, we’re pleased to provide the following information:
Public Engagement and Supporting Material
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) issued by the Town are intended to provide project updates and respond to common questions from the community. Full project information that is available to the public, including FAQs, project timelines, media releases and background documentation is provided on the Eaglecrest Project webpages at qualicumbeach.ca/eaglecrest.
The presentation from the October 6, 2025, Public Hearing is currently available on the Town’s Eaglecrest Project webpages under Reading Room with a link to the full Public Hearing video on the Town’s YouTube channel.
All engagement materials, including the Community Survey are linked on the project pages and published in the Town’s document library for public view: Qualicum Beach - Eaglecrest Survey.
The Town’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are prepared and reviewed internally by senior staff, including but not limited to, the Director of Corporate Services and the Chief Administrative Officer. The September 15, 2026 FAQ was issued as a project update, with accompanying social media posts. At the July 29, 2026, Special Council Meeting, Council authorized the release of closed meeting information contained in the Eaglecrest Project FAQ.
The MODUS Planning / Cunningham & Rivard study, servicing review and environmental reports fall under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act. Requests for records are addressed through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act process. The Town will respond to requests in accordance with its statutory obligations.
Project Finances
The FAQ describes Council’s current funding plan for the purchase and redevelopment of the Eaglecrest Lands Project and neighbourhood improvements. The project plan and funding model are based on current Council decision making and could be subject to change based on future Council direction.
The use of the $1.275 million of general fund accumulated surplus is noted on page 4 of the FAQ. The reassignment of a funding source for the two capital projects is noted on page 7 of the FAQ. For more information, please see the June 24, 2026 Staff Report.
The Town’s 2025 Financial Statements report accumulated surplus and reserve balances as of December 31, 2025. The combined balances provide context for the FAQ’s statement about temporary financing. Council will identify what reserves it will use to fund the 2026 Eaglecrest expenditures during the 2027 budget process. Adequate reserve balances exist for their future decision making. The Town anticipates approximately $4.5 million in 2026 expenditures that may require temporary financing from these reserves pending land sales.
Strategic Initiatives outside of the current fiscal year are always subject to change as part of the annual strategic planning process based on capacity, prioritization and funding. For updates on Council’s 2026 First and Second Quarter Update, including 17 strategic initiatives and 54 capital projects, see the September 9, 2026 Staff Report. It should be noted that the Saahtlam Park Playground was deferred to a future year based on the state of planning for the park, and as a result those funds became available temporarily for the Eaglecrest Project.
The current Eaglecrest Project’s land sale strategy is based on $19,074,800 in land sales. Staff will prepare an amendment to the current Town of Qualicum Beach 2026-2030 Financial Plan for Council consideration prior to 2027 which will include a provision to align proceeds from sale of lands with the land sale strategy. The additional $1,233,200 will be included as a repayment of funds temporarily borrowed from accumulated surplus. Financial plan amendments occur throughout the year as a normal course of business.
Sincerely,
Lou Varela | MCIP, RPP
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Qualicum Beach
(phone numbers and email footer left out)
How the reply answers each point
My letter asked for six clarifications to the FAQ and asked two questions in point 7. The reply doesn’t say the Town will change the FAQ. Here’s what it says on each point.
1. “…without impact to taxation” (p. 2)
Partly answered · FAQ unchanged
- I asked
- That page 2 say no tax impact is the expected outcome, and that it disclose the $1.275 million of general surplus and the move of the Eaglecrest Drive water and storm mains.
- The reply
- The funding plan is “based on current Council decision making and could be subject to change.” The surplus is noted on page 4 of the FAQ, and the new funding source for “the two capital projects,” the mains, on page 7.
- Left open
- The wording on page 2.
2. Which reserves carry the 2026 costs (p. 5)
Not answered · decision put off to the 2027 budget
- I asked
- That the FAQ say which reserves will carry the 2026 costs.
- The reply
- Council will decide which reserves pay for the 2026 Eaglecrest spending during the 2027 budget process. About $4.5 million of 2026 spending may need temporary financing from reserves until land sells. “Adequate reserve balances exist.”
- Left open
- Which reserves. The reply doesn’t respond to the reserve balances my letter listed from Note 11 of the 2025 Financial Statements.
3. Projects pushed back (p. 5)
Partly answered · no list
- I asked
- That the FAQ list the projects that were deferred and their original years.
- The reply
- Strategic initiatives beyond the current year are “always subject to change,” and it points to the September 9, 2026 staff report. It says the Saahtlam Park playground was deferred “based on the state of planning for the park,” and that its funds “became available temporarily” for Eaglecrest.
- Left open
- The list. My letter cited the July 2025 funding plan as the reason for the deferrals; the reply gives a different reason for the playground.
4. The $1,233,200 not scheduled in the budget (p. 6)
Partly answered
- I asked
- When, and from which sales, the remaining $1,233,200 is expected, and that the FAQ say its answer is a forecast.
- The reply
- Staff will prepare an amendment to the 2026–2030 Financial Plan for Council before 2027. The $1,233,200 “will be included as a repayment of funds temporarily borrowed from accumulated surplus.”
- Confirms
- The $1,233,200 isn’t in the Financial Plan yet. Adding it needs a future Council vote.
- Left open
- Which sales, and when. Whether the FAQ’s “Yes” is a forecast.
5. Public engagement (p. 2)
Not answered · FAQ unchanged
- I asked
- That the FAQ include the October 6, 2025 public hearing, and say what the survey did and did not ask.
- The reply
- The hearing presentation and a link to the video are on the Town’s Eaglecrest pages, under Reading Room. The survey and other engagement materials are linked there and in the Town’s document library.
- Left open
- Adding the hearing to the FAQ. The survey’s questions.
6. Supporting documents
Not answered · sent to freedom of information
- I asked
- That the MODUS Planning / Cunningham & Rivard study, the servicing review and the environmental reports be released, or that the Town explain why they can’t be.
- The reply
- They fall under the freedom of information law, and requests for them go through that process.
- Left open
- Whether the Town will release them, and if not, why.
7. Did Council review the FAQ, release or Facebook post?
Not answered
- I asked
- Whether the FAQ, the September 15 media release or the Facebook post was reviewed by Council, or by any member of Council, before release.
- The reply
- FAQs are prepared and reviewed by senior staff, “including but not limited to” the Director of Corporate Services and the Chief Administrative Officer. On July 29, 2026, Council authorized the release of closed-meeting information contained in the FAQ.
- Left open
- Whether Council or any member of Council reviewed the FAQ, the release or the post.
7. Was the Mayor involved in the September 2026 release?
Not answered
- I asked
- Whether the Mayor, or any member of Council, was involved in writing or approving the September 2026 release, which calls the acquisition “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
- The reply
- Nothing on this question.
What happens next
The reply says staff can’t give a further response until after Monday, October 19, two days after the October 17 election. I’ll publish any further reply here.