Watch the report below:<\/p>\n
On Friday, crews were loading logs onto a ship at its deep sea port.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Crofton-mill-deep-sea-port.jpg\")
The deep sea port at the Crofton mill on August 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of the key assets of the property that has the region\u2019s MP calling on Ottawa to consider the property\u2019s purchase.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I recommended is that the government immediately conduct a feasibility study to see if this is an opportunity to expand the base at Esquimalt. We know that the opportunity to have a deep water industrial site is rare and we also know that the navy is expanding rapidly,\u201d said Kibble.<\/p>\n
Kibble, who\u2019s in Quebec studying French this week, served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 28 years and says with the Department of National Defence increasing its spending and capabilities, the Crofton mill site is too good to pass up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s going to be more ships, we know that, and with the Coast Guard falling under the Department of National Defence and there\u2019s a fairly aggressive program to build new Coast Guard ships as well, so they\u2019re going to need more space and facility,\u201d he said. \u201cSo this is a perfect opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
North Cowichan\u2019s mayor says local government is on board.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say North Cowichan is supportive of any proposals at the federal\/provincial level to advance the redevelopment of the Crofton mill site,\u201d said Rob Douglas.<\/p>\n
Douglas says he\u2019s heard from close to 12 potential buyers and he\u2019d like to see continued industrial uses at the site.<\/p>\n