Duck Paterson bids farewell to Ladysmith council after 38 years of service

Duck Paterson bids farewell to Ladysmith council after 38 years of service

Published 5:30 am Saturday, September 19, 2026

After more than 38 years at the council table, Duck Paterson is officially saying goodbye to municipal politics in Ladysmith.

Paterson attended his final in person meeting as a councillor on Sept. 8, using his last opportunity at the Committee of the Whole table to reflect on what he hopes will continue long after his departure.

In particular, Paterson spoke about the relationship between the Town of Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation, saying he hopes the two communities will continue working towards a stronger relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.

“I sincerely hope that the Town of Ladysmith will continue to build upon and strengthen its relationships with the Stz’uminus First Nation,” Paterson said. “There is a great opportunity to move forward together with respect and understanding and a willingness to listen, learn and work as partners.”

Paterson’s remarks came at the end of a council career spanning more than three decades, during which Ladysmith underwent significant growth and change.

In an interview following the meeting, Paterson said his work with Stz’uminus was also among the accomplishments he was most proud of during his decades on council.

“As part of a team, getting back to relations with Stz’uminus First Nation is probably the top of the list,” he said.

He also pointed to several major community projects as highlights of his time on council, including the completion of First Avenue, the Holland Creek Trail, the Transfer Beach amphitheatre and the expansion of Transfer Beach.

Paterson’s remarks came at the end of a council career spanning more than three decades, during which Ladysmith underwent significant growth and change.

Mayor Deena Beeston paid tribute to Paterson, describing him as a “steady anchor” for the town.

“For 36 years, you have been a steady anchor for the town, guiding us through growth, change and progress,” the mayor said. “We will miss your wisdom, your insight and your presence.”

Council presented Paterson with a plaque featuring an eagle feather, a symbol that recognizes qualities including wisdom, strength, courage, dignity and excellence.

The plaque recognized Paterson for “over 38 years of dedicated and unwavering service to the people of Ladysmith,” calling him “a true feather in your cap and a lasting legacy.”

Paterson appeared genuinely caught off guard by the presentation.

“Isn’t that a surprise. I can’t speak,” he said before thanking council. “That is really very special.”

Although he is stepping away from the council table, Paterson said it is the people and the community he will miss most.

“Some of the stuff I sure as hell ain’t going to miss,” he said with a laugh. “But the people definitely I’m going to miss, and being part of stuff, part of working with people, I’m going to miss.”

While Paterson still has one final council meeting ahead, which he plans to attend by Zoom while he is in Alberta, he said his retirement from municipal politics has not quite sunk in yet.

That may be because Paterson’s calendar is already packed.

He is heading to Alberta for 10 days to work on Christmas lighting before returning to Vancouver Island and preparing for his next adventure in October: travelling to Germany and driving an ambulance nearly 2,000 kilometres across Europe and into Ukraine as part of an effort to deliver vehicles and medical supplies to people affected by the war.

The ambulance will be loaded with medical supplies, generators and other equipment before being handed over to Ukrainian forces in Kyiv. Paterson leaves for Munich on Oct. 2, with the convoy departing the following day and travelling through the Czech Republic and Poland before entering Ukraine.

And he has no intention of simply disappearing once his time on council is over.

Paterson said he hopes to help with a proposed gazebo shelter at Brown Drive Park and would like to continue, in some capacity, working with the town and Stz’uminus on bringing the communities together.

“I’m not going to just drift into the woodwork,” he said.

For Paterson, his long tenure on council has ultimately been a reflection of the confidence Ladysmith residents placed in him election after election.

“I’m very, very proud of the community saying we want you to work for us for so long.”