District Launches Community Economic Development Committee to Advance Strategic Priorities

The District of Sooke is pleased to announce the official launch of the Community Economic Development Committee, a Council committee formed to provide recommendations and support on initiatives that build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local economy.

The Committee first met on Monday, March 31, 2025, and will convene every two months throughout the year. The next meeting will take place on Monday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Residents are encouraged to attend and follow along as the Committee’s work progresses.

About the Committee

Established through Council-adopted Terms of Reference on December 9, 2024, the Committee’s mandate 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.”

Mandate Highlights

The Committee’s focus areas reflect Sooke’s strategic objectives and include:

Supporting strategic economic development aligned with the Official Community Plan
Advancing business retention and attraction
Collaborating with the Sooke Region Business Cooperative and other service organizations
Supporting community events and workforce development
Implementing the Municipal & Regional District Tax Program (MRDT)
Developing regenerative tourism and local economic infrastructure
Advocating for inclusion in the Island Coastal Economic Trust Area
Enhancing aesthetics and functionality to support economic growth
Exploring the creation of a Municipal Development Corporation

Committee Membership

In accordance with the Community Charter, Mayor Tait has appointed the following members:

Council Representatives

Cllr. Jeff Bateman (Chair)
Cllr. Tony St-Pierre (Vice-Chair)
Cllr. Al Beddows
Cllr. Dana Pearson

Community Representatives

Gwen Fisher, The Artisans Garden
Katherine Strongwind, Strongwind Solutions & Sooke Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Scot Taylor, Westcoast Adventure College & Stickleback Oceanfront Alehouse

Non-Voting Advisory Participants

William (Gord) Wallace, Sooke Arts Council
Marleen Kiral, Vice President, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
TBD, Sooke Region Tourism Association
TBD, WorkLink Westshore Employment Society

The Committee is supported by Director of Planning and Development Chris Marshall and Community Economic Development Officer Gail Scott, who serve as staff liaisons.

Measuring Progress

Key performance indicators guiding the District’s community economic development efforts include:

A 5% annual increase in business licenses issued (2024: 1,023; +6.9%)
Participation in approximately 50 inter-agency meetings annually by the CED Officer
Attraction of over $475,000 in new funding in 2023–2024 for tourism development and cooperative initiatives
Potential for $350,000 in new annual revenues through MRDT if approved in 2025

Strategic Alignment

The Committee plays a direct role in advancing the goals of the 2024–2027 Council Strategic Plan, which identifies Community Economic Development as one of five strategic focus areas.

“We provide essential local services and prioritize a resilient economy focused on health care, town centre revitalization and tourism. We attract diverse businesses to stimulate economic diversity and growth.”

For more information about the Community Economic Development Committee, including upcoming meeting dates and ways to get involved, please visit sooke.ca/meetings.