About the RDN
The Regional District of Nanaimo provides regional governance and services to communities on the central east coast of Vancouver Island. Communities within the regional federation include:
- The City of Nanaimo
- The District of Lantzville
- The City of Parksville
- The Town of Qualicum Beach
- Seven unincorporated Electoral Areas
The RDN was established in 1967 and, of the 27 Regional Districts in the province, is the fifth-most populous Regional District. According to the 2021 Census, 170,267 people call the RDN home. See more Population Statistics.
The RDN is governed by a 19-member Regional Board. The Board is made up of twelve directors from locally elected municipal councils and seven directors elected by Electoral Area residents. Board members also sit on a variety of regional select and standing committees, as well as the RDN Committee of the Whole.
In recent years the RDN has been recognized for its leadership among Canadian local governments in sustainable community development, improving services and quality of life for residents, while reducing the local environmental footprint and dependence on limited resources.