Government & Council

Your local government, delivering day-to-day municipal services in Sooke, including:

• Local governance: Mayor & Council set municipal priorities, bylaws, and budget.
• Local roads: Maintains local roads within the District boundaries (not Highway 14, which is provincial).
• Planning & development: Oversees community planning, zoning, land use applications, and development permits.
• Building code administration: Administers and enforces the BC Building Code through building permits and inspections.
• Fire rescue services: Provides fire suppression, technical rescue, and first responder medical services.
• Wastewater: Operates the Sooke Wastewater Treatment Facility for properties in the Sewer Service Area (SSA).
• Parks & recreation: Maintains community parks, trails, playgrounds, and the Multi-Use Games Area (Ravens Ridge Park).
• Sports fields: Supports the Sooke Community Association through a service agreement.
• Bylaws: Enforces municipal bylaws.
• Policing: Contracts with the RCMP.
• Advocacy: Advocates to senior governments on issues like Highway 14 and health care.
• 911 Funding: Helps fund provincial 911 call services.
• More services: Learn more about local services in our Programs and Services section.

Regional government providing shared services and amenities across Greater Victoria, including Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area:

• Governance: The Mayor of Sooke represents the community at the CRD Board.
• Recreation: Operates SEAPARC Leisure Complex, Demamiel Creek Golf Course, and the Sports Box at Ravens Ridge Park.
• Regional parks & trails: Regional parks and trails, including Sooke Potholes Regional Park, Sea to Sea Regional Park, and the Galloping Goose Trail.
• Solid waste & recycling: Oversees regional solid waste management, recycling programs, and Hartland Landfill.
• Climate action: Runs the CRD Climate Action Program.

The provincial government, overseeing health care, education, highways, and more:

• Governance: Sets the legal framework for municipalities and regional districts.
• Roads: Responsible for Highway 14 (West Coast Road / Sooke Road), including the Sooke River Bridge, and other provincial highways.
• Health care: Provides hospitals and health care services.
• Schools: Funds and regulates School District 62 (Sooke).
• Emergency services: Operates 911 emergency communications, funded in part by municipalities.
• Housing & social services: Provides social housing and income assistance.
• BC Building Code: Develops and maintains the BC Building Code, which sets building standards for the province (administered locally by municipalities such as Sooke).
• Climate action: Sets provincial environmental and climate policy.
• Natural resources: Manages forestry, fisheries, and land use at the provincial level.

The federal government, delivering national programs and services:

• Policing: Has a federal mandate for the RCMP, which provides local policing in Sooke through a contract administered by the District of Sooke and overseen provincially.
• Immigration & citizenship: Responsible for immigration, permanent residency, and citizenship - local residents access these services online or through Service Canada.
• Income support: Provides national income programs such as Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI) - Sooke residents access these through Service Canada.
• Fisheries & oceans: Oversees marine resources through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard, which are active on Sooke’s coast and marine waters.
• National programs: Administers defense, border services, climate programs, and national transportation regulations that indirectly affect Sooke (such as marine safety and port regulations).