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The survey is open until August 31.

Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) Tourism Advisory Committee

The Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) Tourism Advisory Committee is an advisory committee of Council that provides recommendations on how Sooke can support and strengthen its local tourism sector through destination marketing, visitor promotion, and strategic tourism planning.

The committee focuses on initiatives connected to Sooke’s MRDT program, including the Five-Year Strategic MRDT Business Plan and annual MRDT Tactical Plans. Its work supports tourism marketing and management activities that promote visitation, enhance visitor experiences, and contribute to local economic growth.

The committee brings together representatives from the tourism sector, accommodation providers, visitor services, Indigenous communities, regional tourism organizations, the local business community, youth, and Council. Members provide insight on the evolving needs of visitors and the tourism industry, and help ensure annual plans reflect opportunities that benefit Sooke’s tourism economy.

As an advisory body, the committee reviews tourism-related plans, budgets, reports, and submissions, including annual MRDT reporting and planning requirements before they are submitted to Destination BC. The committee may make recommendations to Council for consideration; Council approval is required before recommendations are acted on, including those involving external communications, financial commitments, or District resources.

The committee meets at least four times per year, with additional meetings held as needed to review tourism initiatives, budgets, reporting requirements, and tactical planning.

Learn More About the Committee’s Work

The MRDT Tourism Advisory Committee monitors, evaluates, advises, and makes recommendations to Council on policies and strategic initiatives related to marketing and promoting Sooke’s tourism sector.

The committee’s mandate includes considering and providing recommendations related to:

  • Implementation of Sooke’s Municipal and Regional District Tax Program (MRDT)
  • The 2026 Five-Year Strategic MRDT Business Plan
  • Annual MRDT Tactical Plans, budgets, and reports
  • Tourism marketing and destination promotion initiatives
  • Opportunities to increase visitation and support tourism-related economic growth
  • Visitor needs, experiences, and service improvements
  • Tourism sector feedback from accommodation providers, visitor services, experience providers, and other tourism interest holders
  • Annual planning and reporting requirements prescribed by the Ministry of Finance and Destination BC
  • Strategic and tactical tourism planning that supports Sooke’s local tourism economy
  • Recommendations to Council on tourism-related policies, plans, reports, and initiatives
  • Any matters referred by Council or the staff liaison

The committee meets at least four times per year to receive updates on tourism marketing initiatives and to review MRDT-related budgets, reporting requirements, and tactical planning.

Additional meetings may be held at the call of the Committee Chair or at the request of any two committee members.

Please refer to the District’s Meeting Management Portal to view agendas and minutes, and to subscribe for meeting notifications.

Council has appointed 12 community members and one Council representative to the Committee for the remainder of 2026 and 2027: 

  • Valerie Lessard 
  • Rose Dumont 
  • Kyra Lazzar 
  • Michelle Richard 
  • Simon Parr 
  • Aakriti Rai 
  • Nikkey Dawn 
  • Peter Jonassen 
  • Lori Clarke 
  • Jennifer Johnston
  • Jacob Cramp
  • Allen Krutz
  • Councillor Tony St-Pierre  

The Committee brings together a range of tourism, business, visitor-service and community perspectives to support the development of Sooke’s tourism sector. 

Additional Resources

The MRDT Tourism Advisory Committee is guided by its Terms of Reference, which outline the committee’s purpose, membership, meeting procedures, and reporting relationship with Council.

Residents, tourism partners, and accommodation providers can also learn more about the Municipal and Regional District Tax Program through Destination BC, including how MRDT funding supports tourism marketing, destination development, visitor services, and eligible community initiatives.

Contact Us

District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road
Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2 


Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm
Phone: 250-642-1634

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