Tuesday March 17, 2026 | VIEW ROYAL, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Town of View Royal 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.
Kowalewich has been an inspector with the Saanich Police Department. Most recently, Inspector Kowalewich has served as the Officer in Charge of the Professional Standards Division and the Integrated Canine Service.
Kowalewich began his policing career with SPD in 2005 as a recruit constable. Throughout his 21-year career he has led high‑profile investigations, built strong working relationships with national and international law enforcement partners, and played a key role in mentoring and developing junior officers.
Inspector Kowalewich holds a Master’s degree in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Arts, English, and Linguistics from the University of Victoria, as well as certificates in Police Leadership and Public Administration. He is also an instructor in Evidence‑Based Policing through Dalhousie University.
First elected to View Royal Council in a 2017 by-election, Kowalewich was re-elected in both the 2018 and 2022 municipal elections.
Accolades from View Royal mayor:
Mayor Sid Tobias expresses his appreciation for Councillor Kowalewich’s years of service and dedication to the View Royal community.
Mayor Tobias is also not seeking re-election in the October 2026 municipal election.
“Councillor Kowalewich is simply irreplaceable on Council,” says Mayor Tobias.
“His dedication, integrity, and leadership have set a very high bar for service to the Town of View Royal,” says Tobias.
“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 in a news release from the Town of View Royal today.
A privilege to serve:
“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,” says Kowalewich.
Balanced approach to community:
During his time on Council, Kowalewich is described by View Royal as having supported initiatives that balanced growth with neighbourhood character and long-term community needs.
He has been particularly pleased with his time as Chair of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society, calling it particularly meaningful. Kowalewich notes 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.
He was frequently proactive about promoting the fun side of community such as the annual holiday season light-up contest in View Royal and hosting the opening of the new skate park at Westshore Parks and Rec in 2023.
Kowalewich also gave View Royal and British Columbia a higher profile with his involvement in the Commonwealth Conference in 2023.
Serving on council:
“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,” says Kowalewich.
“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.”
Seat vacant:
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.
Next election:
The Town of View Royal said today that they hope 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,” said Kowalewich in today’s town news release.
Looking ahead, Kowalewich said he hopes to see continued community leadership in View Royal.
===== RELATED:
- View Royal councillor Damian Kowalewich takes on broader leadership (July 2, 2023)
- View Royal Councillor Damian Kowalewich heading to Commonwealth Conference (May 17, 2023)
- NEWS SECTIONS: VIEW ROYAL | SAANICH