Public Participation

Updated May 3, 2021

Let’s Talk Sooke

Introducing Let’s Talk Sooke – a community engagement platform to grow our conversations. The District has to balance the needs of everyone in our decision-making. That’s why we regularly engage with you for feedback and ideas on everything from our community visioning to park amenities. The COVID-19 pandemic limited our ability to conduct in-person consultations. We are continuing to build on new ways to continue the conversation by launching this platform. Let’s Talk Sooke offers a variety of feedback methods, including:

  • surveys;
  • polls;
  • discussion forums and;
  • question and answer boards.

LEARN MORE >>

Other ways to engage:

  • Subscribe to receive Council meeting agendas, watch online. To participate in meetings, click here.
  • Subscribe to receive Committee meeting agendas. To participate in meetings, click here.
  • Subscribe to electronic newsletters and opt-in to receive updates on particular projects.

Picture Sooke: OCP Review Virtual Ideas (next input opportunity: summer-fall 2021)

  • A new website has been launched for this community conversation, visit picturesooke.ca to participate.
  • Project Phases:
    • Phase 1: Visioning & building a baseline: June to October 2020. See BACKGROUND RESEARCH REPORT (Updated document posted February 10, 2021)
    • Phase 2: Vision & Growth Scenarios: October 2020 to March 2021. The visioning phase of public input closed on November 6, 2020, and was followed with agency stakeholders workshops to best ensure a holistic view of perspectives inform the Official Community Plan. View the INTERIM ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY (Updated document posted February 11, 2021).
    • Phase 2 continued: During phase two of the community conversation we look to confirm and apply the vision identified in the fall (closed April 2, 2021).
      • Updated engagement summary coming soon.
    • Phase 3: DRAFT OCP: Summer-Fall 2021
    • Phase 4: Final Bylaw Revisions and Approval: Late 2021/Early 2021

John Phillips Memorial Park & Ponds Corridor (closed April 30, 2021)

With the approval of the parks and trails master plan in October 2020, exciting enhancements are set to take shape at John Phillips Memorial Park. The revised master site planning will include additional parking, a fenced dog park within Ponds Park Corridor, and planning of a multi-use community area to maximize the functionality of this community asset.

The Master Plan identifies continued community engagement for John Phillips Memorial Park and with that, the District invited your input from February 1, 2021-April 30, 2021 to learn what your priorities are for park amenities. Thank you to the 75 respondents who participated in this public engagement. An update map plan, informed by your input, is being produced.


Multi-use Sports Box (closed April 30, 2021)

Thanks to an $892,778 Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture, and Recreation Program grant and $400,000 contribution from Sunriver Estates, the District of Sooke and SEAPARC are beginning the development of a multi-use sports box at 2430 Phillips Road in Sunriver. 

5-question survey designed to curate a wish list of potential amenities, respond to concerns, and receive general comments on the project was available from December 18, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Resident input is being applied to the site design, which will be shared with the public through the Development Application Process. 

Thank you to the 250 respondents who provided input to ensure this project takes shape in a proactive and fiscally responsible manner.


Public applications being accepted for Land Use and Development Committee (closed February 2, 2021)

  • The District of Sooke is accepting applications from members of the public interested in serving on the District’s Land Use and Development Committee.
  • Learn more about the Land Use and Development Committee, here.
  • Why serve? Have a positive impact in your community by volunteering for a Council committee, contributing to Council’s decision-making processes.

2021-2025 Five Year Financial Plan (Virtual Open House: watch the recording)


Public applications accepted for Council committees (closed December 9, 2020)

  • The District of Sooke is accepting applications from members of the public interested in serving on Council committees. Four committees, including the newly formed Community Economic Development Committee and the Land Use and Development Committee, are currently seeking members, click here to learn more.
  • Why serve? Have a positive impact in your community by volunteering for a Council committee, contributing to Council’s decision-making processes.

Tree Management Bylaw (closed)

  • The online survey is now closed. Thank you to the 433 participants who engaged in this phase of the process.
  • What’s next: stakeholder engagement is underway and will continue until November 27, 2020. A draft bylaw will be presented to council on December 14, 2020.
  • See news release here.
  • See the initiative page to be updated as new information is available: sooke.ca/drafttreebylaw

“New” Building Bylaw Survey (closed)

  • This Survey is now closed.
  • Please visit our Building Safety page for more information about changes to the Building Bylaw.

Housing Needs Survey (closed)

  • This year, the District of Sooke has collected information for the first Sooke Housing Needs Report through a Housing Needs Survey. The results of this survey can be found here.
  • Thank you to everyone that participated in the survey.

Parks and Trails Master Plan Survey & Transportation Master Plan Survey (closed)

  • Thank you to everyone that participated in the survey for each master plan.
  • Here are the survey results The next round of public engagement will occur when a draft report is ready to bring forward the recommendations in late summer 2019