Sooke PocketNews

02/15/2025

Get the Buy Beaver app! One scan will instantly tell you how Canadian a product is. It works like a charm!!

Easily verify if products are made in Canada. Find Canadian-made products, check manufacturing locations, ingredients, and brand ownership.

02/05/2025

I'm personally committing to buying more Canadian products. Here's a short guide on understanding the difference between "Made in Canada" and "Product of Canada" (and other terms).

Understanding Canadian Food Labels: A Quick Guide Canadian food labels provide important information about the origin and content of products, helping consumers make informed choices. Here’s a simplified breakdown of key labelling terms and guidelines: Origin Claims: Product of Canada: This claim ...

02/02/2025

To understand the new Canada / US dynamic, as framed by Trump’s attack on the Canadian economy, consider it in the context of abusive relationships.

HomepageDomestic abuse correlationThe correlation between domestic abuse dynamics and Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a geopolitical strategy Domestic abuse correlation The correlation between domestic abuse dynamics and Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a geopolitical strategy Britt Posted on F...

02/02/2025

The new US tariffs are a direct threat to the Canadian economy. We can’t vote for them, but we can do something. Here are a few suggestions of what Canadians can do to send a message to US businesses.

HomepageBuilding ResilienceBuilding Resilience: What individual Canadians can do during the economic war imposed by the US Building Resilience General Building Resilience: What individual Canadians can do during the economic war imposed by the US Britt Posted on February 2, 2025 Newfoundland and Lab...

01/28/2025

From BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit

Information session about work on Highway 14, Idlemore has been postponed

SOOKE - The information session planned for Sooke to share details about work at the intersection of Highway 14 and Idlemore Road has been postponed.

A new date for the session will be announced as soon it is as available.

The ministry is consulting with Saseenos Elementary school and stakeholders to ensure the design details for the improved intersection support the needs of the community. The aim of the project is to increase safety and ease the flow of traffic for drivers, pedestrians and people cycling or rolling in the area.

The information session was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at Saseenos Elementary school.

Learn More:

More information about the project can be found here: https://gov.bc.ca/highway14idlemore

Contact:

Ministry of Transportation and Transit
Media Relations
250 356-8241

Learn about the project to improve the intersection at Highway 14 and Idlemore Road located in Sooke.

11/13/2024

I remember MLA John Horgan watching EMCS basketball games, by himself, back in the day when I was the local rag’s sports reporter. Then I knew him when I was publisher of SPN, and he eventually became Premier of BC. These photos were just before he became Premier. Rest peacefully, John from Langford who frequently visited Sooke. John will be missed. And dearly remembered. My thoughts are with his family and friends, whose hearts are aching.

10/17/2024

Saturday will be wet.

09/13/2024

Right?

09/02/2024

07/13/2024

Today’s drive out of Sooke, just after 4:30pm.

07/10/2024

Saturday, July 7, 12:30pm.

Did you know that summers typically see a 6% increase in traffic? Trust that the tourists aren’t arriving in Sooke joyful and ready to shop. Peak season for many of our businesses.

We need solutions now!

06/25/2024

I'm speaking at Council tonight, during their public input session to support a motion that will be made by Counc. Pearson. I'll present two survey, where 530 people participated. The bigger of the two (residents, 60pg) report is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YrjoIAf8Dw1QnLaoZdKE4w6dFwXUSeP_DCI_lIknLdY/edit?usp=sharing

The smaller of the two (businesses, 8 pages) is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QFFpvm16TeUYY7Bnb4xwwLTTaOM-nkPSbmbT1iKGJsQ/edit?usp=sharing

Here's hoping Facebook lets me share this with you!

06/07/2024

How’s traffic? I’ve collected over 450 stories so far. You can fill out the survey whenever you have a story to tell. It will be up all summer.

Impacted by traffic? Let me (Britt Santowski) know. I'll collect your stories and see if I can get something done for better long-term traffic planning. The survey is anonymous. Please do not include any identifiable information. You can complete the survey any time you are impacted by traffic and w...

06/07/2024

I’ve collected 450+ stories of Sooke traffic impact. I had a doctors appointment today, Sooke, and heard of many late appointments. One fellow said it took 55 minutes to get from Coopers Cove to Sooke doc.

I've put together a google survey to capture how traffic has impacted you. Bookmark it and feel free to add your stories each time you are impacted. https://forms.gle/BcHaw1Jb1fUWfmQr8 I will present a final report to the Sooke Chamber, to Sooke Tourism and to Sooke Council. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Please don't include any identifying information.

This survey will stay up all summer. Tell me how you’re impacted. I’ll get the message to Council.

Impacted by traffic? Let me (Britt Santowski) know. I'll collect your stories and see if I can get something done for better long-term traffic planning. The survey is anonymous. Please do not include any identifiable information. You can complete the survey any time you are impacted by traffic and w...

06/02/2024

I've put together a google survey to capture how traffic has impacted you. Bookmark it and feel free to add your stories each time you are impacted. https://forms.gle/BcHaw1Jb1fUWfmQr8 I will present a final report to the Sooke Chamber, to Sooke Tourism and to Sooke Council. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Please don't include any identifying information.

02/17/2024

Not surprising but definitely disappointing. Council continues to be influenced by a vocal minority. Sooke needs the amenities that the Sooke Lions Club continues to attempt to offer. Please support this undertaking! And thank you Sooke Lions for your perseverance!

The recent Sooke News Mirror article missed the mark. If you check the District of Sooke Master Park plan 2008 Murray Rd does not appear as a park, because it is not a public park. It is zone P1, public recreation. This land is privately owned property. Sooke Lions offered to sell or lease the land to the District of Sooke if they wished to make it an official park. Sooke Council declined that offer. Anyone with foresight should see that the Sea to Tree proposal could be the best of many worlds. What is now gravel would become the building and parking lot. The green space would remain, as the aesthetics would be beneficial to their clientele. This proposal could be a multiple win for Sooke. Downtown green space would continue, the residents would be offered better access to mental health care, the District would commence collecting property taxes, and the profits from the sale would be reinvested in the community through Sooke Lions projects. This could sustain the grade two swim program in perpetuity. Currently residents are complaining of homeless camping on the property. This too would be mitigated with full time owners occupying the land every day. Sooke Lions could eliminate the green space by building a clubhouse. This would not entail any rezoning. Sooke does need more public meeting space. But the Sea to Tree proposal offers many more community benefits.
Lion Danny Willis
Sooke Lions Vice-President

12/23/2023

If you’re interested in local and beyond travel deals, sign up for TravelZoo, free (reg $40/yr) for 2024 using this link: travelzoo.com/ca/gift/britt It’s also good for tracking travel trends.

The very best hand-picked travel and entertainment deals.