A quick Sooke Traffic Petition update, because many have been discussing the recent comments about the Sooke Official Community Plan (OCP), a bypass, and what it means to “stay informed.” 

In short: Resident Helen Ritts (Council Candidate in November by-election which Herb Haldane won) raised an assertion, resident Randy Dean corrected it with missing provincial information, and the whole discussion began with Randy Clarkson’s excellent outline already shared in an earlier update within this petition.

Helen Ritts responded to concerns raised by Randy Clarkson, but her assertions appear to be incorrect, and her criticism of Mr. Clarkson ended with:

“It does take effort to stay informed… If people aren’t willing to put in that effort, then please avoid spreading misinformation.”

For many residents, working families, commuters, caregivers, seniors, that message didn’t sit well. Most people don’t have hours each week to dig through planning documents, nor should they need to just to raise concerns.

And importantly: this isn’t misinformation.

As Randy Dean replied:

“It is not misinformation when we’ve had two MOUs signed with Highways regarding the bypass and a new bridge. The TMP barely mentions this… Your comments aren’t misinformation, but they are misinformed.”

That’s the core issue in this instance: Provincial MOUs, historic commitments, and bypass requirements haven’t been clearly reconciled with the new OCP map and so much more. Residents are right to ask questions.

Randy Clarkson’s letter (already included in a past update) lays this conflict out clearly.

I waited several days assuming Helen Ritts might clarify or retract her remarks; when no response came, it felt important to share this update so residents can decide for themselves.

The purpose of this petition remains simple:
To give residents in Sooke and all surrounding communities affected by the Highway 14 gridlock and who can’t attend every meeting a real way to be heard, and to push Sooke Council and the Province to re-engage so our long-standing traffic problems can finally move toward a real solution, one where the OCP, the Transportation Master Plan, and the historic MOUs actually line up to fix the traffic mess.

Thank you for reading, for signing and ss always, please continue to share this petition. It’s not over yet, not by a slow Highway 14 mile.