Sooke MLA Dana Lajeunesse has pledged to collaborate with Sooke council and the provincial government to resolve the impasse over Bill 44 compliance.

The legislation requires zoning changes to permit small-scale, multi-unit housing developments. However, Sooke council has resisted, citing concerns about infrastructure readiness, tight deadlines and lack of community input.

B次元官网网址淭his is a challenging situation for everyone,B次元官网网址� Lajeunesse said in an interview with the Sooke B次元官网网址 Mirror. B次元官网网址淲e can do more together than pointing fingers at each other.B次元官网网址�

Lajeunesse stressed that cooperation among all levels of government is key to tackling the housing crisis while addressing SookeB次元官网网址檚 specific challenges.

B次元官网网址淲e need to find a path forward that respects provincial mandates while also recognizing the real challenges Sooke is facing,B次元官网网址� Lajeunesse said.

His involvement follows the provinceB次元官网网址檚 denial of SookeB次元官网网址檚 request for a five-year extension to comply with Bill 44. The district now faces a Dec. 16 deadline to finalize zoning changes or risk ministerial orders overriding local bylaws.

Mayor Maja Tait has criticized the provinceB次元官网网址檚 stance, arguing that the legislationB次元官网网址檚 one-size-fits-all approach ignores the unique needs of rapidly growing communities like Sooke.

B次元官网网址淭he timeline and lack of flexibility are deeply concerning. We need time to upgrade infrastructure to ensure public health and safety are not compromised,B次元官网网址� Tait said.

In response, Lajeunesse plans to facilitate discussions with the Ministry of Housing. He highlighted the provinceB次元官网网址檚 recent funding for significant upgrades to Otter Point Road and Church Road. Additionally, both levels of government remain committed to extending the Throup Road connector to Phillips Road to alleviate congestion, as well as advancing other projects along the Highway 14 corridor.

The MLAB次元官网网址檚 commitment to mediate has been met with cautious optimism.

Coun. Kevin Pearson, a supporter of Bill 44, welcomed LajeunesseB次元官网网址檚 involvement.

B次元官网网址淭his is in the territory of the MLA to broker a deal between the municipality and the province. Anything he can do would be greatly appreciated,B次元官网网址� Pearson said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 too bad weB次元官网网址檙e at this point at the 11th hour. ThereB次元官网网址檚 still an opportunity for both sides to meet in the middle.B次元官网网址�

Coun. Al Beddows, who opposed adopting Bill 44, remains skeptical.

B次元官网网址淲ords are one thing, but we need concrete action,B次元官网网址� Beddows said. B次元官网网址淭he feeling around town is weB次元官网网址檝e been unfairly singled out when other municipalities have been given extensions.B次元官网网址�