The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is inviting residents of Electoral Area C in British Columbia to participate in a series of community engagement events later this month as work continues on a new Official Community Plan (OCP). The sessions will allow residents to review draft policies, examine how public feedback has influenced the planning process and provide further input before the plan advances.
The upcoming meetings will take place on Quadra Island and in the Outer Discovery Islands between October 20 and 22, 2026. They represent another stage in a community planning initiative that has gathered local perspectives over the past two years.
The regional district is encouraging residents to attend and assess whether the proposed policies reflect their communities’ long-term priorities and expectations.
Community Feedback Shapes Area C Official Community Plan
The development of the new Area C Official Community Plan has involved an extensive public consultation process designed to identify community priorities, concerns and aspirations.
Over the past two years, residents have participated in open houses, community meetings, surveys, workbooks and other engagement activities. These opportunities have allowed the regional district to collect information about local needs and expectations for future development.
The SRD has acknowledged the contributions of residents who have participated throughout the process, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in preparing the planning document.
An Official Community Plan establishes a long-term policy framework to guide decisions about land use, development and community growth. Such plans help local governments coordinate future planning decisions while considering environmental, social and economic priorities.
For Electoral Area C, the planning process provides an opportunity to establish policies that reflect the circumstances of Quadra Island and the surrounding Outer Discovery Islands.
Residents Invited to Examine Draft Policies
The next stage of consultation will focus on presenting draft policy content developed using feedback collected during earlier engagement activities.
Residents will be able to examine how their comments and suggestions have been incorporated into the proposed direction of the plan.
The regional district is also seeking feedback on whether the draft policies accurately represent community expectations.
This review will help determine whether further adjustments are needed before the planning process moves forward.
Quadra Island Open Houses Scheduled for October 20 and 22
Two public open houses have been scheduled on Quadra Island to provide residents with opportunities to review the proposed planning direction.
Both sessions will follow a drop-in format, allowing participants to attend at any point during the scheduled hours.
The events are scheduled as follows:
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Tuesday, October 20, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Quadra Island Legion Hall.
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Thursday, October 22, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Quadra Island Library.
The extended hours are intended to give residents flexibility in choosing when to participate.
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the new Official Community Plan, review draft policies and provide comments on the proposed direction.
Outer Discovery Islands Community Meeting Set for October 21
Residents of the Outer Discovery Islands will have a separate opportunity to participate in the consultation process.
The SRD has scheduled a community meeting for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Surge Narrows Bunkhouse.
Unlike the Quadra Island drop-in sessions, this event will follow a scheduled meeting format beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to examine the draft planning content and discuss whether it addresses priorities identified during previous consultations.
Regional District Encourages Continued Public Participation
The SRD is encouraging Area C residents to remain involved as the Official Community Plan moves toward its next stage.
Residents interested in understanding how earlier feedback has influenced the draft can review the regional district’s What We Heard summaries, which document input received during previous engagement activities.
These materials are available through the Area C OCP project webpage at srd.ca/area-c-ocp.
Those unable to attend the October meetings can continue following the project online, where the regional district will publish updates and information about future participation opportunities.
Residents can also subscribe to project notifications to receive information about upcoming engagement activities.
The October consultation sessions will provide another opportunity for community members to review the proposed planning direction and help ensure the new Official Community Plan reflects the priorities of Electoral Area C before the process advances.
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