About
I was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada as a young child. I have lived in four provinces, from the Maritimes to BC, and completed my Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. I've seen the country a few times!
Real Estate Developer & Publican
Since 1995, I have been involved in the purchase, development, repurposing, conversion, renovation & sale of over $740,000,000 worth of multi-family real estate in 9 provinces & 2 states.
Since 2014, I have been the owner of The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub in Maple Bay.
Since 2021, I have been a director of Anya's Journey Foundation, a charity created to build an all-ages accessible playground at Fuller Lake.
Since 2022, I have been a North Cowichan councillor, representing, listening and responding to North Cowichan residents.
- Hometown: Dunfermline, Scotland
- Current Residence: Crofton, BC
- Office: 778.422.3200
- Email: contact@brucefindlay.com
- Age: 54
- Education: BBA from UPEI
- NC Resident Since: 2005
- Family: Married with 3 adult children
Issues
Why should you re-elect me to North Cowichan Council? Strong business experience, community involvement & connectivity, and experience providing common sense voting at the North Cowichan council table. I do not shy away from a challenge & love seeing plans come to fruition. I believe in accountability & oversight. I believe in strong fiscal stewardship. I believe in strong, resilient communities. I believe in empowering people to make their own informed decisions - freedom of choice for all of your decisions. I believe in reducing government red tape & streamlining all North Cowichan processes. I believe in supporting small businesses, who are the backbone of our local, provincial & federal economies. I believe in providing direction & solutions for the housing crisis in our communities.
Housing
Living costs are through the roof. House prices are exorbitant. Rentals are available, but rents are out of reach for many. The solution is crystal clear - build more. It's truly Economics 101 - if you have excess demand, increase your supply until supply exceeds demand. At that time, prices (rents included) fall. And when new properties are built, older and less-affordable places can become available. It's called "filtering" and it's a real and powerful process. We need to promote building as much as possible to solve our housing crisis! While we have some infrastructure constraints currently, we still have room in our systems to BUILD. Our engineering team is working on upgrades and system-wide expansion, to meet the demand, so let's let our development community loose to help solve this crisis!
Community Security & Street Disorder
It's easy to see how street disorder, open drug use and crime have affected the citizens of our community. We all want to help those in need, to get them housing, addiction help and recovery, and mental health supports, but so much is out of North Cowichan's control. Helping to find long-term addiction beds, after-care sober housing and fast-tracking zoning to make this happen, is in our wheelhouse, as is consistent lobbying of the provincial government. We need leaders who can rattle cages and get the funding and supports to make our streets safer, and help those on the street to recover and be safe. I already have that experience, as a member of local community group "Cleanup V9L", a group instrumental in the opening of the FIRST treatment centre in North Cowichan, Together We Can's Gateway Recovery Centre on Norcross Road.
Fiscal Stewardship / Taxation
North Cowichan exists because of citizens' & business owners' tax payments. It's imperative council & staff truly understand this, and work to spend those monies diligently, and to trim budgets where necessary. It's time to get back to core services. Ripping apart the budget line by line, re-starting the Finance & Audit Committee, and watching every penny being spent, is no longer an option - it's imperative! With the recent closure of the Crofton mill and the long-term curtailment of the Chemainus sawmill, we have no option but to trim and spend wisely.
Land-Use Issues
North Cowichan's processes to get a building permit, development permit, rezoning or even something as simple as a shed or a temporary use permit, can take far too long. While changes have been made this past year, more needs to be done to reduce red-tape, expedite and streamline the processes. Creating timeline mandates is one way to make this happen. The Official Community Plan is also going to be a key process during 2027, and strong leadership is needed to guide this process to create a new OCP that is useful for all North Cowichan residents.
Asset Management & Infrastructure
Understanding the long-term value and replacement of North Cowichan's assets and infrastructure is critical. The replacement of those assets, as they reach the end of their useful lives, and planning for those costs is critical. For 30 years I have built replacement reserve funds, planning for major replacements, likely the only current and future councillor with that experience. Lobbying higher levels of government will be critical to ensure the major infrastructure is replaced on a timely, cost-effective manner.
Other Issues
There are countless issues that residents need help with or are questioning - municipal engagement and communication, recreational options, servicing industrial lands to help attract new major industry, encourage the reruitment of qualified workers (medical especially) to the municipality, fast-track and encourage new small business ventures, etc.
Read My Guest Column in the Cowichan Citizen
"Is This What You Voted For?"
Testimonials
This is what others say about me.
Bruce brings a genuinely independent, pragmatic voice to Council — willing to question popular ideas and take the heat for it without backing down. In ten years, I've never known him to be anything but direct and principled.
Paul Considine
Maple Bay
Bruce and I almost never agree on political subjects, but we're always able to have a conversation and he's always willing to look at both sides of a situation with an open mind.
Ian Smith
Owner, Society Barbershop & Cafe
I’m proud to support Bruce Findlay for North Cowichan Council.
North Cowichan needs strong, practical leadership from someone who listens to residents, understands our community and isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions. Bruce brings common sense, experience, and a genuine commitment to making North Cowichan a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Bruce Findlay has my full support, and I encourage you to vote for him for North Cowichan Council.
Roger Ketch
Owner, South Island Fireplace & Spa
Contact
Sign up for updates & to stay in touch with me. Also, please send me an email if you are interested in volunteering in any way for this re-election campaign. Email is the best option! I would also be honoured to receive your donation, to assist in the costs of this campaign. As financial stewardship is one of my core platforms, you can rest assured your monies will be spent in the best interests of North Cowichan residents & accounted for correctly! Thank you.
Location:
6777 Beaumont Avenue
North Cowichan, British Columbia
CANADA V9L 5X4