Platform Details and Ideas
Planning in the Public Interest
Recognizes that all elements of a community– from housing development to public health measures to environment are connected and affect each other.
Includes proactive measures to ensure that the whole community is protected from drought, floods and fire.
Includes development that creates healthy indoor spaces while protecting green spaces, forest canopy and sensitive ecosystems.
Understands that good public amenities and better transit support affordability
Building the Local Economy
Follow the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan
Develop a Green Business Hub/Incubator in Sooke
Make it easier for local businesses to use existing affordable space in Sooke’s core and build new retail and office space that is available at affordable prices.
Explore the benefits of starting an Economic Development Commission.
Fully implement all existing Master Plans
Resilient, Affordable Housing
Everyone needs a place to call home
Encourage builders to use low carbon building materials and heating systems
Promote infill development within the town core
Promote “development without destruction” (don’t destroy–remodel large homes)
Promote affordable housing first
Zone for tiny homes and other “niche” homes, like yurts etc
Support non-profit housing groups and assist Ayer Manor expansion
Encourage co-ops
Transportation
Fully implement Parks and Trails and Transportation Master Plans
Build the Throup connector (with stringent protections for forest and wetland)
Advocate with the province to build a right lane on Sooke Road between the bridge and Church Road and plan to extend from Saseenos School.
Explore alternate funding mechanisms to accelerate sidewalk bulding and creation of complete streets
Explore potential for a local community bus to service the local Sooke region
Harness Provincial funding to upgrade bus-stops to allow wheelchair access at all stops
Health and Safety Infrastructure
Explore the adoption of the “municipal health centre” idea in which the municipality hires and pays the doctors so they can focus on doctoring (the Colwood Model)
Get the funding support and permissions to make the health centre shovel ready.
Ensure that Sooke continues to develop robust emergency preparedness capacity for all types of crisis
Recognize that being unhoused undermines everyone’s health and safety. Adopt the Sooke Homelessness Coalition as a special committee of Council, reporting quarterly.
Advocate for the creation of local detox and treatment facilities and more supportive living units.
Protect our Environment
Fully implement climate action plan and ensure that climate and environmental protection is front and centre in all policies
Conduct a full audit of wildlife corridors, and environmentally sensitive areas, building on citizen efforts.
Advocate with the Province to institute a “Private Forests Protection Program” to function similarly to the Private Managed Forest Land Act, so that private land owners can monetize their land through preserving and restoring their forests as well as logging them.
