Sooke Council and Staff Activities
October 2022 to November 2025
Don't know about you, but I can barely remember last week let alone 2022. So i went through the tally of council and COW agenda items that I keep here at home and have compiled the following informal, imperfect and undoubtedly incomplete point-form list of the three years just past. I shared all this with council prior to a "Stick the Landing" workshop with consultant Christina Benty, a gifted facilitator and the latest in a series of local government pros who have stepped in to advise and guide us forward over my years on council.
Eleven more months in this term to go: We as a collective -- staff and council, each with unique cultures and legislated requirements and responsibilities yet absolutely joined at the hip in what I heard described at last year's UBCM conference as a "truly wacky business model" -- have adoption of the Official Community Plan ahead of us along with tactical implementation of the Municipal Regional & District Tax (i.e., strategic use of the $350k+ in annual new revenue), planning for the connector road referendum (with possible additional questions), mid-term reviews of the transportation and parks masterplans, early work on a new Zoning Bylaw (pending OCP adoption) and much unpredictable else in the general course of our agendas.
The next general election day of Oct. 17, 2026 is not far off and the 336-day countdown is on ...
Select Highlights
(IMO, of course)
* Council Strategic Plan 2024-2027
* Hiring of Chief Administrative Officer Raechel Gray
* Revived work on the Official Community Plan (March-July, 2023; February-Dec. 2025)
* Progress on Urgent Primary Care Centre/BC Builds project on Lot A
* Commitment to 24/7 Sooke RCMP unionized staffing
* Commitment to 24/7 Sooke Fire Service unionized staffing
* Commitment to long-term Asset Management Plan
* Fully staffed DOS Planning department led by Director of Planning Chris Marshall
* Staff retention/recruitment policies and best HR practices
* Council Code of Conduct Bylaw #889 adoption
* Establishment of Community Economic Development & Land Use Committees
* Municipal & Regional District Tax established and underway (Nov. 1, 2025)
* JDF and Olympic Peninsula Cross-Border Tourism Strategy
* Sooke Region Business Services Cooperative (aka Shoreline)
* Communications excellence – newsletters, press releases, microsites etc.
* In-kind support of community groups by District staff
* Connector route borrowing referendum on track for October 2026
* Little River Pedestrian Crossing and Trail
* New Development Procedures Bylaw #900 (press release)
* New Subdivision & Development Standards Development Bylaw #925
* Development Approval Procedures Review completed and implementation underway
* E-Comm service fees pushback
* Council By-Election, July 12, 2025
* MOU meetings with T’Sou-ke and School District #62
- Initiatives possible under the Local Government Climate Action Program
* Renewed Island Health engagement with Ayre Manor expansion
* Visit by the BC Seniors’ Advocate (Ayre Manor, Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Contact, SRCHN)
* UBCM advocacy - 2022-2025
* UBCM 2025 motions x 3: Utility Tax; Funding for 911; Human Rights Tribunal staffing
* SEAPARC Strategic Plan 2025-2035
* CRD Regional Transportation Service
* District of Sooke Accessibility Plan
Financial Services
* 2023/27 plan adopted (April 24, 2023)
* 2024/28 plan adopted (March 25, 2024)
* 2025/29 plan adopted (April 7, 2025)
* SOFI reports - 2022, 2023, 2024
* Budget Public Engagement 2023/24/25
* Service Level reviews 2023/24/25
* Quarterly financial reports
* Permissive Tax Exemption bylaw review
* Asset Management Program, Policy and Financial Strategy
* General Asset Management Reserve Fund Bylaw #916 (established Oct. 21, 2024)
* Travel & Expense Policy Update
New Taxation Funding Priorities
* Sooke RCMP 24/7
* Sooke Fire Services 24/7
* Establishment of the Asset Management Reserve Fund
* CPI operational increases
* Union contract increases
Bylaw and Policy
* Fees & Charges Bylaw
* Traffic and Highways Regulation (re: Silver Spray)
* Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw
* Future Policing Costs Reserve Bylaw
* Future Fire Services Reserve Bylaw
* Growing Communities Reserve Fund
* Animal Regulation & Impounding Bylaw (re: fines for wildlife feeding)
* Development Procedures Bylaw #900
* Subdivision and Developments Standard Bylaw #925
* Council Procedure Bylaw amendment – re: Bill 44 (public hearings – Feb. 26, 2024)
* Public Participation Policy
* IT and Cybersecurity Policy
* Committee Structure Policy and Terms of Reference
* Sign Bylaw review
* Board of Variance Bylaw
* Community Service Agreement Policy
* Council Remuneration Bylaw review (in process)
Transportation Master Plan
* Designs advanced for the connector route
* Charters Corridor complete (tendered: July 24/2023)
* Church Road Roundabout complete (tendered: July 24/2023)
* Mid-Term TMP review pending (late 2025)
* Continued staff and MOTT relationship re: plans for Idlemore intersection; right-turn lanes on Sooke Road; sidewalk expansion to Whiffin Spit
* TMP Road Frontage Cross-Sections workshop (May 21, 2024)
* Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure council presentation (April 8, 2024)
* Draft Frontage Works Program (Sept. 9, 2024)
* Report: Options for Engagement on Sooke Traffic Concerns (Sept. 9, 2024)
* Receipt of Short-Term Traffic Solutions report from Sooke Traffic Committee (Sept. 23)
* Charters/Hwy 14 Active Transportation Grant application (Oct. 28, 2024)
* Federal active transportation grant application for connector (Feb. 24, 2025)
* BC Transit Wadams Way Transit Exchange (June 9, 2025)
Operations
* DAPR Assessment & Recommendations Report (Feb. 12, 2024)
* DCC Minor Update (Feb. 26, 2024)
* Development Procedures Bylaw #900 (adopted Nov. 12, 2024)
* Renewed road maintenance contract, 2025/26, with Victoria Contracting
* UBCM Asset Management Planning Grant
* Flood Plain Regulation Amendment Bylaw #912
* Bridge rehabilitation program
* Federal Housing Infrastructure grant program application re: Town Centre & Sunriver Critical Sanitary Wastewater & Storm Infrastructure Project (March 24, 2025; six components)
* Subdivision and Developments Standard Bylaw #925
* 2025 Sooke road atlas of cross-section designations
Community Safety
* Fire Service – Initial Attack Apparatus purchase
* FireSmart Community funding (UBCM)
* Community Wildfire Resilience Plan (Oct. 2023)
* Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (UBCM grant, Jan. 2024)
* Engine 2 replacement
* Wildland Urban Interface FireSmart presentation
* Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Adaptation (UBCM grant app, Sept. 23, 2024)
* Emergency Management Plan (May 26, 2025)
* Climate Hazard and Risk Assessment (UBCM grant app, July 28, 2025)
* 24/7 Sooke RCMP coverage
* Establishment of Sooke RCMP major crimes investigation unit
* Coffee With A Cop public engagement opportunity x 2
Community Investment
* Renewed Community Service Agreements with seven organizations (2022)
* Community Grants (2023/24/25)
* Patient deployment of remaining COVID relief funds to support work of Sooke Family Resource Society, Sooke Shelter Society and other orgs working with vulnerable citizens
* Sooke Food Bank service agreement fee increase (incremental 20% annual increase)
* Sooke Family Resource Society service agreement (2024 & 2025, $45k per year)
- Support from the Council contingency fund for ...
* Sooke Boxing Club
* Sooke Storm Fastball Team
* Wounded Warrior Run
* EMCS basketball team
* Sooke Lions – Canada Day, Santa Parade
* Sooke Community Association – All-Sooke BBQ
* Sooke Fall Fair
* Development of a Community Investment Program (CIP) – in process
* Sooke Legion Branch 54 – 100th Anniversary Commemorative Crosswalk - in process
* Sooke Homelessness Coalition – JB council liaison
* Sooke Age-Friendly Committee – JB council liaison
* Sooke Community Health Summit (pending)
First Nations Relations
* Council attendance at T’Sou-ke council swearing in ceremony
* Council to Council meetings x 2
* David Drummond workshop re: T’mexw Treaty (March 18, 2024)
* Advocacy in support of T’Sou-ke Japanese Knotweed concerns (April 2025)
Community Economic Development & Tourism
* Request for inclusion in the Island Coastal Economic Trust (Jan. 2023)
* Membership renewals with South Island Prosperity Project (annual)
* Sponsorship of Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards (annual)
* Attendance at Island Economic Summit (Lajeunesse)
* Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act adoption
* JDF Community First Regenerative Tourism Plan (May 27, 2024)
* REDIP grant application for Employment Lands Strategy (in process)
* Downtown beautification microgrant program (pending 2026 budget deliberations)
* JDF Cross-Border Tourism Strategy (Destination Canada)
* Sooke Region Business Services Cooperative (aka Shoreline)
Planning, Building & Development
* Development Approvals Process Review
* Building Bylaw amendment – secondary suites (May 8, 2023)
* Patrick Marsden correspondence
* District withdrawal from membership in the Urban Development Institute
* Zero Carbon Step Code discussions
* Interim Housing Needs Report
* Affordable Housing Contribution Policy update (in progress)
* Storage containers staff report (in progress)
Climate, Parks and Environmental Services
* Sooke 2030 Climate Action Plan – Implementation (update: Jan. 2024)
* Hiring of the Manager of Community Planning
* Low Carbon Resilience lens confirmed as whole-of-org priority in Strat Plan
* CAP Grant Stream supporting Sooke non-profits, i.e. Friends of Sooke Parks
* Broom busting campaign by the District
* Yard waste and broom drop-off at the works yard
* Investigation of Ella Stream impacts re: ViewPointe Estates
* Bear and Raven public art at Ravens Ridge Park & Sooke Potholes
* Ed Macgregor Park fencing upgrades
* Ravens Ridge Park Improvements (tender: Sept. 9; completed: late 2025)
* Parkland Dedication – 7350 West Coast Rd. (Erinan Estates future phases)
* Whiffin Spit Management Options Assessment Report
* Memorial Wall staff report
Advocacy
* Minister of Municipal Affairs re: Kaltasin sewer extension (UBCM 2023)
* Minister of Health re: Community Health Centre (UBCM 2023)
* Solicitor General re: Integrated Major Crimes Unit (UBCM 2022, 2023, 2024)
* Ministry of Citizen Services re: telecommuting hub (UBCM 2024)
* Minister of Education re: seismic upgrades, need for new schools, safety issues at John Muir and all schools along highway (UBCM 2024)
* BC Seniors Advocate re: seniors needs in Sooke (UBCM 2024)
* Minister of Agriculture re: farm hamlet proposal (UBCM 2025)
* Agricultural Land Commission Chair re: farm hamlet (UBCM 2025)
* Island Health re: Ayre Manor expansion (UBCM 2025)
* Ministry of Health re: Urgent Primary Care Centre (UBCM 2025)
* BC Transit re:
* Mobile Youth Services Team funding x 2 (2023, 2024)
* BC Housing re: Sooke Shelter emergency bed expansion needs
* Crosswalk at Maple Ave. S. and Sooke Road
Delegations to Council
(chronological order from Nov. 2022)
* Sooke RCMP x 10 Quarterly Updates
* Sooke Homelessness Coalition
* The Village Initiative
* Royal Roads City Studio program
* Herb Haldane/SBA x 3 – building processes
* Chris Zmuda - preventing tax increases x 2
* CREST Emergency Communications
* Indigenous Prosperity Centre
* West Coast Environmental Law – Sue Big Oil campaign
* Bill Dixon Mural at Cedar Grove Mall
* SRCHN – Mental Health, Addictions & Substance Use Report
* Royal Roads University – R&D Tourism Report
* Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Society – progress report
* Sooke Family Resource Society – service agreement
* Laura & Shawn Paul re: 2170 French Road South
* Transition Sooke/Sooke Food CHI re: community gardens
* Vancouver Island Regional Library
* BC Conservation Officer Service/Bear Cub Conflict
* Wild Wise Society re: conservation services
* Jonathan Francoeur re: First Nations relations
* Sooke Chamber of Commerce
* SRCHN – Sooke Region Food Systems Network update
* BC Hydro – Call to power
* Fortis BC – Zero Carbon Step Code
* South Island Climate Action Network – Zero Carbon Step Code
* Kiefer Elliot - Zero Carbon Step Code
* Sunriver Community Garden
* 606 Water Group
* E-Comm - Oliver Gruter-Andrew
* Royop CEO Jeremy Thal re: West Coast Road Development Project
* Sooke Harbour Players
* Wild Wise Society re: Wildlife Expo at EMCS
* Jim Mitchell re: food truck sewer connection
* Katie Oppen re: taxation
* Construction Foundation of BC’s Mike Manhas re: The Forge, Langford
* Community Social Planning Council re: Point In Time Count
* Thrive Social Services re: Foundry Sooke
Development Permits (Council involvement)
* DVP – 6645 Sooke Rd. (West Urban)
* DVP – 6671 Wadams Way (Aragon)
* DVP – 5627 Woodlands Rd.
* DVP – 6519 Throup Road (5 Oaks Developments)
* DVP – 2109 Mowich Drive (Lajeunesse)
* DVP – 2302 Phillips Road
* DVP – 6442 Golledge Ave.
* DVP – 1245 Silver Spray Drive
* DVP – 2205 Tara Place
* DVP – 7059 Briarwood Place
* DVP – 7044 Maple Park Place (ViewPointe Estates)
* DP Amendment – 6569 Sooke Road (Bayshore)
* DVP – 2101& 2112 Ayum Road
* DP Environmental – Little River Multi-Use Trail Project (DOS)
* DP Form & Character (Subdivision) - 6671 Logan Lane
Zoning Amendments
* 6519 Throup Road (increase size of C2 portion)
* 2104 Charters Road (R1 to RM2)
* 2027 Maple Ave. (R1 to RM2)
* 2072 Camden Place (R2 to RM2)
* 5529 Croydon Place (RU4 to RU5)
* 6676 Sooke Road (India Delight, C2 to CTC)
* 2292 Phillips Rd. (RU2 to RM2)
* 6588 Throup Rd. (R1 to RM2)
* 6956 Grant Road W. (R1 to R2)
* 2032 Maple Ave. S. (R1 & RU3 to RM2)
* 2008 Murray Road (P1 to C2)
* 1995 Caldwell Rd. (R1 to RM2)
* 6727 West Coast Road (R1 to C2 – bowling alley)
* 6557 Clairview Rd. (RM1 to R1)
* 6579 Throup Road (R1 to RM2 – Francis Gardens)
* 6490 West Coast Rd. (R1 to R3)
* 2103 Townsend Rd. (R1 to RM5)
* 2316 Church Road (SSA adjustment)
* 2342 Kamaureen Place (strata conversion)
* 2170-72 French Rd. (strata conversion)
* 5520 Sooke Road (strata conversion)
* 6507 Water St. (SSA amendment)
* 2043 Maple Ave. S (covenant amendment)
* 2532 Sooke River Rd. (ALR sub-division recommendation)
* 7295 Francis Rd. (ALR recommendation re: childcare facility)
* 6660 Helgeson Rd. (ALR recommendation re: solar panels)
* 6520 Throup Rd. (ALR recommendation re: skate park)
* 6626 Helgeson Rd. (ALR recommendation)
Zoning Bylaw Updates
* Additional permitted uses for Service Commercial (C3) zone
* Inclusion of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing legislation (June 24, 2024)
Miscellaneous
* School District #62 MOU meetings x 2
* Support for renovations to the Sooke Legion Cenotaph
* Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association license/terms of use
* Sunriver Community Garden license/terms of use
* Natori Sister City relations
* A.C.E. Memorial Project re: Paul Unwin carving donation
* Septic System Maintenance Program (unresolved - Sept. 25, 2023)
* Community Works Fund 2025-2035 agreement signed (UBCM)
* Sooke Harbour House liquor license
* District paused its X account
Capital Regional District
* SEAPARC – AAP for new skate park, heating/cooling upgrades
* SEAPARC – Strategic Plan 2025-35
* Long-Term Biosolids Management Policy – accepted by Province, summer 2025
* Regional Transportation Service – new
* Living-wage salary increases for Sooke Region Museum employees (started in 2025)
* Biodiversity and Environmental Stewardship Service – new
* Regional Foodlands Access Service – new
* Performing Arts Facilities Service – new
* Regional Water Supply Master Plan (2022)
* Water Supply Local Service Area - Establishment Bylaw
* CRD Regional Water Supply DCC Program
* Land Banking Service for CRD Housing Corp - Establishment Bylaw
* CRD Animal Control Contract renewal
* CRD Regional Water Supply DCC Program
* Regional Parks Loan Authorization – Trail Widening & Lighting
October 2022 to November 2025
Don't know about you, but I can barely remember last week let alone 2022. So i went through the tally of council and COW agenda items that I keep here at home and have compiled the following informal, imperfect and undoubtedly incomplete point-form list of the three years just past. I shared all this with council prior to a "Stick the Landing" workshop with consultant Christina Benty, a gifted facilitator and the latest in a series of local government pros who have stepped in to advise and guide us forward over my years on council.
Eleven more months in this term to go: We as a collective -- staff and council, each with unique cultures and legislated requirements and responsibilities yet absolutely joined at the hip in what I heard described at last year's UBCM conference as a "truly wacky business model" -- have adoption of the Official Community Plan ahead of us along with tactical implementation of the Municipal Regional & District Tax (i.e., strategic use of the $350k+ in annual new revenue), planning for the connector road referendum (with possible additional questions), mid-term reviews of the transportation and parks masterplans, early work on a new Zoning Bylaw (pending OCP adoption) and much unpredictable else in the general course of our agendas.
The next general election day of Oct. 17, 2026 is not far off and the 336-day countdown is on ...
Select Highlights
(IMO, of course)
* Council Strategic Plan 2024-2027
* Hiring of Chief Administrative Officer Raechel Gray
* Revived work on the Official Community Plan (March-July, 2023; February-Dec. 2025)
* Progress on Urgent Primary Care Centre/BC Builds project on Lot A
* Commitment to 24/7 Sooke RCMP unionized staffing
* Commitment to 24/7 Sooke Fire Service unionized staffing
* Commitment to long-term Asset Management Plan
* Fully staffed DOS Planning department led by Director of Planning Chris Marshall
* Staff retention/recruitment policies and best HR practices
* Council Code of Conduct Bylaw #889 adoption
* Establishment of Community Economic Development & Land Use Committees
* Municipal & Regional District Tax established and underway (Nov. 1, 2025)
* JDF and Olympic Peninsula Cross-Border Tourism Strategy
* Sooke Region Business Services Cooperative (aka Shoreline)
* Communications excellence – newsletters, press releases, microsites etc.
* In-kind support of community groups by District staff
* Connector route borrowing referendum on track for October 2026
* Little River Pedestrian Crossing and Trail
* New Development Procedures Bylaw #900 (press release)
* New Subdivision & Development Standards Development Bylaw #925
* Development Approval Procedures Review completed and implementation underway
* E-Comm service fees pushback
* Council By-Election, July 12, 2025
* MOU meetings with T’Sou-ke and School District #62
- Initiatives possible under the Local Government Climate Action Program
* Renewed Island Health engagement with Ayre Manor expansion
* Visit by the BC Seniors’ Advocate (Ayre Manor, Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Contact, SRCHN)
* UBCM advocacy - 2022-2025
* UBCM 2025 motions x 3: Utility Tax; Funding for 911; Human Rights Tribunal staffing
* SEAPARC Strategic Plan 2025-2035
* CRD Regional Transportation Service
* District of Sooke Accessibility Plan
Financial Services
* 2023/27 plan adopted (April 24, 2023)
* 2024/28 plan adopted (March 25, 2024)
* 2025/29 plan adopted (April 7, 2025)
* SOFI reports - 2022, 2023, 2024
* Budget Public Engagement 2023/24/25
* Service Level reviews 2023/24/25
* Quarterly financial reports
* Permissive Tax Exemption bylaw review
* Asset Management Program, Policy and Financial Strategy
* General Asset Management Reserve Fund Bylaw #916 (established Oct. 21, 2024)
* Travel & Expense Policy Update
New Taxation Funding Priorities
* Sooke RCMP 24/7
* Sooke Fire Services 24/7
* Establishment of the Asset Management Reserve Fund
* CPI operational increases
* Union contract increases
Bylaw and Policy
* Fees & Charges Bylaw
* Traffic and Highways Regulation (re: Silver Spray)
* Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw
* Future Policing Costs Reserve Bylaw
* Future Fire Services Reserve Bylaw
* Growing Communities Reserve Fund
* Animal Regulation & Impounding Bylaw (re: fines for wildlife feeding)
* Development Procedures Bylaw #900
* Subdivision and Developments Standard Bylaw #925
* Council Procedure Bylaw amendment – re: Bill 44 (public hearings – Feb. 26, 2024)
* Public Participation Policy
* IT and Cybersecurity Policy
* Committee Structure Policy and Terms of Reference
* Sign Bylaw review
* Board of Variance Bylaw
* Community Service Agreement Policy
* Council Remuneration Bylaw review (in process)
Transportation Master Plan
* Designs advanced for the connector route
* Charters Corridor complete (tendered: July 24/2023)
* Church Road Roundabout complete (tendered: July 24/2023)
* Mid-Term TMP review pending (late 2025)
* Continued staff and MOTT relationship re: plans for Idlemore intersection; right-turn lanes on Sooke Road; sidewalk expansion to Whiffin Spit
* TMP Road Frontage Cross-Sections workshop (May 21, 2024)
* Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure council presentation (April 8, 2024)
* Draft Frontage Works Program (Sept. 9, 2024)
* Report: Options for Engagement on Sooke Traffic Concerns (Sept. 9, 2024)
* Receipt of Short-Term Traffic Solutions report from Sooke Traffic Committee (Sept. 23)
* Charters/Hwy 14 Active Transportation Grant application (Oct. 28, 2024)
* Federal active transportation grant application for connector (Feb. 24, 2025)
* BC Transit Wadams Way Transit Exchange (June 9, 2025)
Operations
* DAPR Assessment & Recommendations Report (Feb. 12, 2024)
* DCC Minor Update (Feb. 26, 2024)
* Development Procedures Bylaw #900 (adopted Nov. 12, 2024)
* Renewed road maintenance contract, 2025/26, with Victoria Contracting
* UBCM Asset Management Planning Grant
* Flood Plain Regulation Amendment Bylaw #912
* Bridge rehabilitation program
* Federal Housing Infrastructure grant program application re: Town Centre & Sunriver Critical Sanitary Wastewater & Storm Infrastructure Project (March 24, 2025; six components)
* Subdivision and Developments Standard Bylaw #925
* 2025 Sooke road atlas of cross-section designations
Community Safety
* Fire Service – Initial Attack Apparatus purchase
* FireSmart Community funding (UBCM)
* Community Wildfire Resilience Plan (Oct. 2023)
* Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (UBCM grant, Jan. 2024)
* Engine 2 replacement
* Wildland Urban Interface FireSmart presentation
* Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Adaptation (UBCM grant app, Sept. 23, 2024)
* Emergency Management Plan (May 26, 2025)
* Climate Hazard and Risk Assessment (UBCM grant app, July 28, 2025)
* 24/7 Sooke RCMP coverage
* Establishment of Sooke RCMP major crimes investigation unit
* Coffee With A Cop public engagement opportunity x 2
Community Investment
* Renewed Community Service Agreements with seven organizations (2022)
* Community Grants (2023/24/25)
* Patient deployment of remaining COVID relief funds to support work of Sooke Family Resource Society, Sooke Shelter Society and other orgs working with vulnerable citizens
* Sooke Food Bank service agreement fee increase (incremental 20% annual increase)
* Sooke Family Resource Society service agreement (2024 & 2025, $45k per year)
- Support from the Council contingency fund for ...
* Sooke Boxing Club
* Sooke Storm Fastball Team
* Wounded Warrior Run
* EMCS basketball team
* Sooke Lions – Canada Day, Santa Parade
* Sooke Community Association – All-Sooke BBQ
* Sooke Fall Fair
* Development of a Community Investment Program (CIP) – in process
* Sooke Legion Branch 54 – 100th Anniversary Commemorative Crosswalk - in process
* Sooke Homelessness Coalition – JB council liaison
* Sooke Age-Friendly Committee – JB council liaison
* Sooke Community Health Summit (pending)
First Nations Relations
* Council attendance at T’Sou-ke council swearing in ceremony
* Council to Council meetings x 2
* David Drummond workshop re: T’mexw Treaty (March 18, 2024)
* Advocacy in support of T’Sou-ke Japanese Knotweed concerns (April 2025)
Community Economic Development & Tourism
* Request for inclusion in the Island Coastal Economic Trust (Jan. 2023)
* Membership renewals with South Island Prosperity Project (annual)
* Sponsorship of Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards (annual)
* Attendance at Island Economic Summit (Lajeunesse)
* Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act adoption
* JDF Community First Regenerative Tourism Plan (May 27, 2024)
* REDIP grant application for Employment Lands Strategy (in process)
* Downtown beautification microgrant program (pending 2026 budget deliberations)
* JDF Cross-Border Tourism Strategy (Destination Canada)
* Sooke Region Business Services Cooperative (aka Shoreline)
Planning, Building & Development
* Development Approvals Process Review
* Building Bylaw amendment – secondary suites (May 8, 2023)
* Patrick Marsden correspondence
* District withdrawal from membership in the Urban Development Institute
* Zero Carbon Step Code discussions
* Interim Housing Needs Report
* Affordable Housing Contribution Policy update (in progress)
* Storage containers staff report (in progress)
Climate, Parks and Environmental Services
* Sooke 2030 Climate Action Plan – Implementation (update: Jan. 2024)
* Hiring of the Manager of Community Planning
* Low Carbon Resilience lens confirmed as whole-of-org priority in Strat Plan
* CAP Grant Stream supporting Sooke non-profits, i.e. Friends of Sooke Parks
* Broom busting campaign by the District
* Yard waste and broom drop-off at the works yard
* Investigation of Ella Stream impacts re: ViewPointe Estates
* Bear and Raven public art at Ravens Ridge Park & Sooke Potholes
* Ed Macgregor Park fencing upgrades
* Ravens Ridge Park Improvements (tender: Sept. 9; completed: late 2025)
* Parkland Dedication – 7350 West Coast Rd. (Erinan Estates future phases)
* Whiffin Spit Management Options Assessment Report
* Memorial Wall staff report
Advocacy
* Minister of Municipal Affairs re: Kaltasin sewer extension (UBCM 2023)
* Minister of Health re: Community Health Centre (UBCM 2023)
* Solicitor General re: Integrated Major Crimes Unit (UBCM 2022, 2023, 2024)
* Ministry of Citizen Services re: telecommuting hub (UBCM 2024)
* Minister of Education re: seismic upgrades, need for new schools, safety issues at John Muir and all schools along highway (UBCM 2024)
* BC Seniors Advocate re: seniors needs in Sooke (UBCM 2024)
* Minister of Agriculture re: farm hamlet proposal (UBCM 2025)
* Agricultural Land Commission Chair re: farm hamlet (UBCM 2025)
* Island Health re: Ayre Manor expansion (UBCM 2025)
* Ministry of Health re: Urgent Primary Care Centre (UBCM 2025)
* BC Transit re:
* Mobile Youth Services Team funding x 2 (2023, 2024)
* BC Housing re: Sooke Shelter emergency bed expansion needs
* Crosswalk at Maple Ave. S. and Sooke Road
Delegations to Council
(chronological order from Nov. 2022)
* Sooke RCMP x 10 Quarterly Updates
* Sooke Homelessness Coalition
* The Village Initiative
* Royal Roads City Studio program
* Herb Haldane/SBA x 3 – building processes
* Chris Zmuda - preventing tax increases x 2
* CREST Emergency Communications
* Indigenous Prosperity Centre
* West Coast Environmental Law – Sue Big Oil campaign
* Bill Dixon Mural at Cedar Grove Mall
* SRCHN – Mental Health, Addictions & Substance Use Report
* Royal Roads University – R&D Tourism Report
* Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Society – progress report
* Sooke Family Resource Society – service agreement
* Laura & Shawn Paul re: 2170 French Road South
* Transition Sooke/Sooke Food CHI re: community gardens
* Vancouver Island Regional Library
* BC Conservation Officer Service/Bear Cub Conflict
* Wild Wise Society re: conservation services
* Jonathan Francoeur re: First Nations relations
* Sooke Chamber of Commerce
* SRCHN – Sooke Region Food Systems Network update
* BC Hydro – Call to power
* Fortis BC – Zero Carbon Step Code
* South Island Climate Action Network – Zero Carbon Step Code
* Kiefer Elliot - Zero Carbon Step Code
* Sunriver Community Garden
* 606 Water Group
* E-Comm - Oliver Gruter-Andrew
* Royop CEO Jeremy Thal re: West Coast Road Development Project
* Sooke Harbour Players
* Wild Wise Society re: Wildlife Expo at EMCS
* Jim Mitchell re: food truck sewer connection
* Katie Oppen re: taxation
* Construction Foundation of BC’s Mike Manhas re: The Forge, Langford
* Community Social Planning Council re: Point In Time Count
* Thrive Social Services re: Foundry Sooke
Development Permits (Council involvement)
* DVP – 6645 Sooke Rd. (West Urban)
* DVP – 6671 Wadams Way (Aragon)
* DVP – 5627 Woodlands Rd.
* DVP – 6519 Throup Road (5 Oaks Developments)
* DVP – 2109 Mowich Drive (Lajeunesse)
* DVP – 2302 Phillips Road
* DVP – 6442 Golledge Ave.
* DVP – 1245 Silver Spray Drive
* DVP – 2205 Tara Place
* DVP – 7059 Briarwood Place
* DVP – 7044 Maple Park Place (ViewPointe Estates)
* DP Amendment – 6569 Sooke Road (Bayshore)
* DVP – 2101& 2112 Ayum Road
* DP Environmental – Little River Multi-Use Trail Project (DOS)
* DP Form & Character (Subdivision) - 6671 Logan Lane
Zoning Amendments
* 6519 Throup Road (increase size of C2 portion)
* 2104 Charters Road (R1 to RM2)
* 2027 Maple Ave. (R1 to RM2)
* 2072 Camden Place (R2 to RM2)
* 5529 Croydon Place (RU4 to RU5)
* 6676 Sooke Road (India Delight, C2 to CTC)
* 2292 Phillips Rd. (RU2 to RM2)
* 6588 Throup Rd. (R1 to RM2)
* 6956 Grant Road W. (R1 to R2)
* 2032 Maple Ave. S. (R1 & RU3 to RM2)
* 2008 Murray Road (P1 to C2)
* 1995 Caldwell Rd. (R1 to RM2)
* 6727 West Coast Road (R1 to C2 – bowling alley)
* 6557 Clairview Rd. (RM1 to R1)
* 6579 Throup Road (R1 to RM2 – Francis Gardens)
* 6490 West Coast Rd. (R1 to R3)
* 2103 Townsend Rd. (R1 to RM5)
* 2316 Church Road (SSA adjustment)
* 2342 Kamaureen Place (strata conversion)
* 2170-72 French Rd. (strata conversion)
* 5520 Sooke Road (strata conversion)
* 6507 Water St. (SSA amendment)
* 2043 Maple Ave. S (covenant amendment)
* 2532 Sooke River Rd. (ALR sub-division recommendation)
* 7295 Francis Rd. (ALR recommendation re: childcare facility)
* 6660 Helgeson Rd. (ALR recommendation re: solar panels)
* 6520 Throup Rd. (ALR recommendation re: skate park)
* 6626 Helgeson Rd. (ALR recommendation)
Zoning Bylaw Updates
* Additional permitted uses for Service Commercial (C3) zone
* Inclusion of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing legislation (June 24, 2024)
Miscellaneous
* School District #62 MOU meetings x 2
* Support for renovations to the Sooke Legion Cenotaph
* Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association license/terms of use
* Sunriver Community Garden license/terms of use
* Natori Sister City relations
* A.C.E. Memorial Project re: Paul Unwin carving donation
* Septic System Maintenance Program (unresolved - Sept. 25, 2023)
* Community Works Fund 2025-2035 agreement signed (UBCM)
* Sooke Harbour House liquor license
* District paused its X account
Capital Regional District
* SEAPARC – AAP for new skate park, heating/cooling upgrades
* SEAPARC – Strategic Plan 2025-35
* Long-Term Biosolids Management Policy – accepted by Province, summer 2025
* Regional Transportation Service – new
* Living-wage salary increases for Sooke Region Museum employees (started in 2025)
* Biodiversity and Environmental Stewardship Service – new
* Regional Foodlands Access Service – new
* Performing Arts Facilities Service – new
* Regional Water Supply Master Plan (2022)
* Water Supply Local Service Area - Establishment Bylaw
* CRD Regional Water Supply DCC Program
* Land Banking Service for CRD Housing Corp - Establishment Bylaw
* CRD Animal Control Contract renewal
* CRD Regional Water Supply DCC Program
* Regional Parks Loan Authorization – Trail Widening & Lighting
RSS Feed