Committees

Updated December 19, 2024

Announcements

  • Posted December 19, 2024 – The District of Sooke invites community-minded residents and business owners to join our Committees! We are currently seeking new members for the Land Use and Development Committee and Community Economic Development Committee. If you are interested in volunteering, please submit your completed application form to Corporate Services (corp@sooke.ca; 2205 Otter Point Road) by January 31, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Application Form, instructions:
    • Save a Fillable PDF to a computer or device.
    • Add content, including self-identification as an Indigenous person as “preference shall be given to one (1) community member representing Indigenous interests” (Terms of Reference), and save the file.
    • Submit your application to the District by January 31, 2025 by 4:30 p.m.
  • SUBSCRIBE! to receive Committee notifications (agendas & minutes) to your inbox.

Learn more about Committees

Capital West Accessibility Committee

Are you passionate about creating a more accessible and inclusive community? The District of Sooke is looking for a dedicated resident to serve as Sooke’s Citizen Representative on the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference and advocate for accessibility improvements that benefit everyone.

Why Apply?

As a member of the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee, you’ll work alongside representatives from neighbouring municipalities, including Colwood, Langford, Highlands, Metchosin, View Royal, and Esquimalt. Together, you’ll advise and collaborate to advance accessibility across the Capital West region within local government, aligning with the goals of the Accessible BC Act to improve inclusivity, accessibility, and livability for all.

This is a two-year volunteer term, beginning in early 2025 and ending on December 31, 2026, with committee meetings hosted on a rotating basis by each partner municipality. 

How to Apply:

If you are interested in making a positive impact, please complete the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee Resident Representative Application form and return it to Corporate Services at corp@sooke.ca. Submit your completed application to accessibility@sooke.ca or drop off in person at Municipal Hall at 2205 Otter Point Road. Applications are reviewed as they are received.

Learn more:

Join us in building a more accessible future for our community!

About the Committee:

The Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee includes representatives from:

  • City of Colwood
  • City of Langford
  • District of Highlands
  • District of Metchosin
  • District of Sooke
  • Town of View Royal
  • Township of Esquimalt

The Committee’s mission is to help partner municipalities improve livability, inclusivity, and accessibility in line with the Accessible BC Act. Each community will appoint one representative, and the responsibility of hosting the Committee meetings will rotate annually among the partner municipalities.

District of Sooke Community Economic Development Committee

Purpose:
The purpose of the Community Economic Development Committee is to provide recommendations and support to Council on matters that prioritize a resilient economy focused on health care, town centre revitalization and tourism and the attraction and retention of diverse businesses to stimulate economic diversity and growth. The Committee will work to provide recommendations that support the strategic goals of the District.

Authority:

  • The Committee functions as an advisory body to Council and does not have independent decision-making authority.
  • The role of the Committee is to review staff reports, submissions, proposals, and presentations and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to the Committees mandate.
  • Council’s endorsement must be given by way of resolution of any recommendation made by the Committee including any initiatives involving financial or resource commitments.
  • The Committee has no advocacy role concerning their decisions and recommendations.

Mandate:
The Committee is to consider economic development matters that are to be considered by Council, including:

  • Strategic economic development initiatives that align with the municipality’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and related policies.
  • Support for business retention initiatives.
  • Collaboration with the Sooke Region Business Cooperative to strengthen business partnerships and growth.
  • Engagement with service organizations like the Sooke Chamber of Commerce, WorkLink BC, and other local groups to offer workshops, networking events, and programs that support business growth and development.
  • Provision ofresources and grants to local organizations that drive economic development through workforce training, business services, and volunteer initiatives and community events that boost the local economy.
  • Implementation of the Municipal & Regional District Tax Program (MRDT).
  • Development of long-term regenerative and community-led destination tourism planning.
  • Enhancement of support for small businesses and startups.
  • Advocacy for inclusion in the Island Coastal Economic Trust Area (ICETA) to gain access to community grant programs.
  • Enhancement of community appeal and economic growth through aesthetics and functionality.
  • Development of an employment lands strategy.
  • Establishment of a Municipal Development Corporation
  • Public engagement recommendations aimed at strengthening the relationship between Council and the local business community, industry stakeholders, and residents to foster broad participation in economic initiatives.
  • Items related to the Community Economic Development Strategy
  • Items related to the Low Carbon Resilience Model.
  • Any other items referred to the committee by Council or the staff liaison.

Reporting Protocol:

  • Recommendations: Committee recommendations and any relevant materials will be added to an upcoming Regular Meeting of Council by Corporate Services staff for Councils consideration.
  • Minutes: In accordance with the Committee Structure and Function Policy (CO-007), Council will receive Committee minutes for information at the next regularly scheduled Council Meeting.

Membership and Composition:

Size and Appointment:

Committee membership will consist of:

  • Up to four (4) members of Council; and
  • Up to three (3) community members.

Non-Voting Advisory Members:
Representatives from the following:

  • Sooke Region Tourism Association;
  • Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce;
  • Worklink BC – Westshore; and
  • Sooke Arts Council .

The Mayor serves as ex officio member; except when a quorum is not reached for a Committee meeting, then the Mayor is a temporary voting member for that meeting only.

Diversity and Expertise:

  • Membership should represent the public interest, and preference may be given to those with professional experience in land use and development.
  • Preference shall be given to one (1) community member representing Indigenous interests.

Members should have demonstrable expertise or a strong interest in community planning, sustainable development, or land use policy.

Term:

  • Community members will be appointed for one year, with the possibility of reappointment.
  • Council members will be appointed until rescinded or superseded.

District of Sooke Land Use and Development Committee

Purpose:
The purpose of the Land Use and Development Committee is to provide support to Council on matters related to land use, development, and community planning to support sustainable land use planning to accommodate growth while minimizing environmental impact and maintaining Sooke’s West Coast aesthetic in alignment with the District of Sooke strategic plan.

Authority:

  • The Committee functions as an advisory body to Council and does not have independent decision-making authority.
  • The role of the Committee is to review staff reports, submissions, proposals, and presentations and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to the Committees mandate.
  • Council’s endorsement must be given by way of resolution of any recommendation made by the Committee including any initiatives involving financial or resource commitments.
  • The Committee has no advocacy role concerning their decisions and recommendations.

Mandate:
The Committee is to consider land use and development matters that are to be considered by Council, including:

  • Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments, rezonings, development permits, variance applications, strata title conversions, Temporary Use Permits, Agricultural Land Reserve Referrals, and the municipal regional context statement (for the Regional Growth Strategy).
  • Updates to zoning to promote mixed-use zoning, enhancing community livability and economic vitality through residential-business integration and creating business-friendly environments for both new and existing businesses.
  • Policies to support sustainable land use and community growth, integrating environmental stewardship, economic health, and socio-economic land use matters.
  • Public engagement recommendations on land use topics aimed at strengthening the relationship between Council, stakeholders, and community members.
  • Any other items referred to the committee by Council or the staff liaison.
  • The Low Carbon Resilience Model should provide a lens for the decision making of this committee.

Reporting Protocol:

  • Recommendations: Committee recommendations and any relevant materials will be added to an upcoming Regular Meeting of Council by Corporate Services staff for Councils consideration.
  • Minutes: In accordance with the Committee Structure and Function Policy (CO-007), Council will receive Committee minutes for information at the next regularly scheduled Council Meeting.

Membership and Composition:

Size and Appointment:

Committee membership will consist of:

  • Up to four (4) members of Council; and
  • Up to three (3) community members.

The Mayor serves as ex officio member; except when a quorum is not reached for a Committee meeting, then the Mayor is a temporary voting member for that meeting only.

Diversity and Expertise:

  • Membership should represent the public interest, and preference may be given to those with professional experience in land use and development.
  • Preference shall be given to one (1) community member representing Indigenous interests.

Members should have demonstrable expertise or a strong interest in community planning, sustainable development, or land use policy.

Term:

  • Community members will be appointed for one year, with the possibility of reappointment.
  • Council members will be appointed until rescinded or superseded.

Committee Meeting Participation

Committee meetings are open to the public and take place at Municipal Mall. Public participation in committee meetings is at the call of the chair.


Committee Agendas and Minutes

View the meeting calendar and subscribe to receive meeting notifications delivered to your:

Unless otherwise noted all committee meetings will take place in Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Road, on the 3rd floor of Municipal Hall.


Agendas, minutes, and Council videos can also be browsed using the CivicWeb Portal.


Archived Minutes

Note: As of February 12, 2021 agendas and minutes are posted through iCompass, historical records of previous Committees of Council are available below.

 Climate Change Action Committee
 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda posted once approved
 Tuesday, November 24, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda posted once approved
 Tuesday, November 17, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, October 20, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, September 15, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, July 28, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:30 p.m. Agenda Meeting Cancelled
 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (electronic meeting)  5:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 (cancelled)  5:30 p.m. Agenda Meeting Cancelled
 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 (replaced February meeting)  1:00 p.m. Agenda Meeting Cancelled
 Tuesday, January 21, 2020  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, December 17, 2019  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, November 19, 2019  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, October 8, 2019  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, August 20, 2019  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, July 16, 2019  5:30 p.m. Agenda Minutes
 Friday, June 21, 2019  1:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes

 Community Economic Development Committee
Friday, February 26, 2021 (electronic meeting) 9:00 a.m. Posted once published
Friday, January 22, 2021 (electronic meeting) 9:00 a.m. Agenda Posted once approved

 Sooke Program of the Arts Committee
Thursday, February 4, 2021 (electronic meeting) 4:00 p.m. Agenda Posted once approved
Thursday, January 7, 2021 (electronic meeting) 4:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes
Thursday, December 3, 2020 (electronic meeting) 4:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes
Thursday, November 5, 2020 (electronic meeting) 4:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes
Thursday, October 1, 2020 (electronic meeting) 4:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes

 OCP Advisory Committee
Thursday, January 28, 2021 (electronic meeting) 10:00 a.m. Agenda Posted once approved
Thursday, December 17, 2020 (electronic meeting) 10:00 a.m. Agenda
New Business/ Supplemental Agenda
Minutes
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 (electronic meeting) 10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
Thursday, October 22, 2020 (electronic meeting) 10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 (electronic meeting) 10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes

 North East Quadrant Lot A Task Force
 Tuesday, September 17, 2019 *  9:00 a.m. Agenda  n/a
 Wednesday, September 4, 2019  10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
 Monday, August 19, 2019  10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, August 6, 2019  10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
 Tuesday, July 23, 2019  10:00 a.m. Agenda Minutes
 Thursday, July 11, 2019  1:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes

Affordable Housing Committee
November 28, 2019  1:00 p.m. Agenda Minutes