A New Year in Sooke: Looking Ahead to 2026 - Message from Mayor Tait

As we welcome 2026, I’m feeling especially grateful. This year will mark the end of my term as Mayor - and the close of 18 years of public service. With the local government general election coming on October 17, 2026, it’s a meaningful moment for me personally, and I’m so appreciative of the trust and support you’ve shown over the years.

We’re starting the year with a few things on the go. First up, on Saturday, January 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the District is pleased to offer a free yard waste drop-off day at the Sooke Parks Yard at 2070 Kaltasin Road. This is part of our FireSmart efforts and is supported through a UBCM program grant - a great example of how outside funding helps us deliver practical services that support community safety.

Then on Monday, January 12, Council will receive the final in our series of municipal service presentations, followed by a session on Monday, January 19 with the Sooke RCMP and several local nonprofit organizations the District partners with through ongoing service agreements. These presentations help us understand the financial pressures and service needs across the many programs the District supports, setting the stage for Budget 2026 deliberations in February.

Looking toward early spring, please stay tuned for a community budget open house in March, where we’ll share more about the programs, services, and projects planned for the year ahead - and where you’ll be able to ask questions, and see how community feedback continues to guide our work.

Community input truly shapes our budget. Last year, more than 1,700 participants - including residents and visitors - shared their perspectives through our summer engagement. This feedback helps inform the services Sooke provides. We begin this work early each year, from mid-June to mid-August, so we can connect with you while taxes are being paid and gather your thoughts when they matter most. I also look forward to celebrating the official opening of Little River Crossing - a beautiful new pedestrian corridor connecting Sunriver Way to Poirier Elementary and Journey Middle Schools, as well as Ponds Park Corridor. A heartfelt thank you again to the Government of Canada for their $1.3 million contribution and to the Province of British Columbia for their $500,000 in funding. Leveraging grants like these is one of the key ways we’re able to deliver the infrastructure and services our community is calling for.

We also recognize the financial realities many in our community are facing. While recent years have required higher percentage increases, the long-term average has been more steady. These increases reflect the difficult reality of many years with little to no adjustment. As we begin budget discussions, I’ll speak to this directly: percentages make headlines, but dollars and cents tell the fuller story. For example, a 10% increase in Sooke can sometimes generate the same revenue that a 2% increase would produce in a larger community - yet our roads extend across a wide and growing area. This is the challenge of scale we continue to navigate with care.

With last year’s update to the Subdivision and Development Standards Bylaw, which introduced complete streets standards shaped by your input and the Transportation Master Plan, you’ll soon notice more frontage improvements - like sidewalks - being built alongside development. In some areas, this will mean short, unconnected segments at first. As funding becomes available, sidewalk infill will close those gaps.

There is also plenty to look forward to this year, especially for young people. In 2026, we’ll celebrate the opening of the multi-use sports box at Ravens Ridge Park and the CRD’s new skatepark on Throup Road - both exciting additions to Sooke’s recreational opportunities.

I also want to speak to the future. Local government is shaped by those who step forward to serve future generations. If you’re considering running in the 2026 local election, my door is always open - let’s chat. Democracy thrives when people of all backgrounds feel encouraged to participate, and our community is strengthened when new voices step forward with ideas, passion, and care.

As always, there’s lots happening at the District. I encourage you to stay connected at www.sooke.ca, where you can sign up for news and event notifications and our monthly newsletter. As the calendar turns and 2026 unfolds - here where the rainforest meets the sea - let’s continue to be kind, be caring, and be compassionate with one another. Serving you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Sincerely,
Mayor Maja Tait