District Welcomes New Community Economic Development Officer, Gail Scott

The District of Sooke is welcoming Gail Scott as the District’s new Community Economic Development Officer.

Gail is a seasoned Community Economic Development professional with over 25 years of experience working within the private and public sectors throughout British Columbia and Alberta. She brings a wealth of experience, touching on all aspects of sustainable community growth and development practices including Economic, Environmental, Social and Cultural, Governance, Housing, Transportation and Connectivity services.

Recently returning home to Vancouver Island after ten years, she is excited to call Sooke her forever home. Gail came out of retirement in 2020 knowing that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to significantly impact the way we do business and that change would be eminent for our communities.

“I’m thrilled to be making my home in Sooke on the traditional territory of the T’Sou-ke Nation,” says Scott. “I look forward to connecting with the community and collaborating with local businesses and developers, industry and community groups as we work together to help Sooke realized its full potential.”

“With Gail’s expertise and enthusiasm for community building and sustainable economic growth, she will help lead the implementation of the Community Economic Development Strategy,” said Mayor Maja Tait. “We are fortunate to have her joining our team with her years of experience and impressive record of successful economic development including involvement with the 2010 Winter Olympic bid among many others.”

Gail began with the District on November 15, 2022. She holds a Professional Economic Development Certificate from the University of Waterloo in collaboration with the Economic Development Association of Canada, a Community Economic Development Certificate from the University of Calgary in collaboration with Economic Development Alberta, and a Business Administration Management / Personnel Concentration Certificate from the University of Calgary.

More on Community Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan

The Community Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan provides guidance to the District of Sooke about industrial and commercial development.

Sooke’s economic development is oriented toward promoting environmental health as well as human well-being and safety in a climate-changing world.

As the plan identifies, “It is clear from community feedback that a focus should be on supporting locally-owned businesses in Sooke, reducing economic leakage, and creating jobs in Sooke.”

Learn more and follow the implementation of the Community Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan at letstalk.sooke.ca/ced.