District of Sooke Council Attends UBCM 2025: Charting the Course for Stronger Communities

Monday, September 22, 2025 – This week, District of Sooke Council, alongside Chief Administrative Officer Raechel Gray, is attending the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Victoria. Guided by this year’s theme, Charting the Course, the convention provides an important opportunity for local governments to collaborate, share knowledge, and identify efficiencies in delivering services to residents.

Throughout the week, Council is engaging with provincial ministries and agencies on local priorities such as healthcare and food security. Meetings have been granted with:

• Regional Health Authority (VIHA)
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Minister Lana Popham
• Agricultural Land Commission (ALC)

In addition to these discussions, Council has advanced several resolutions for debate on the convention floor. These include:

• Funding for 911 Services to address pressures on emergency response systems.
• Taxation of Utility Companies to ensure equitable financial contributions to communities.
• Enhanced support for the BC Human Rights Tribunal as local residents continue to experience multi-year delays before cases are heard.

These resolutions align with Council’s Strategic Plan, specifically the focus on strengthening financial tools for local governments and improving service delivery for residents. Council will also vote on a wide range of resolutions outlined in the 2025 UBCM Resolutions Book.

Mayor Maja Tait emphasized the importance of collaboration:

“UBCM is an opportunity for us to build relationships, learn from our peers, and work alongside other communities to find efficiencies. The resolutions we’ve brought forward are rooted in our Strategic Plan and highlight the need for fair and sustainable financial tools that support the services our residents rely on.”

The District looks forward to a week of dialogue, networking, and collective problem-solving to advance local priorities. Updates from the convention will be shared as available.