Council Candidate

Helen Ritts has called Sooke home since 2008. She spent more than 20 years leading marketing and communications for an architecture and urban planning firm, helping communicate complex planning issues and bringing people together around a shared vision.

That experience reinforced her belief that the strongest communities are built through thoughtful planning, respectful collaboration, and decisions made in the public interest.

Since moving to Sooke, Helen has become deeply involved in the community through Friends of Sooke Parks, the Sooke Garden Club, Emergency Support Services, and the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society. She also served as Chair of the District's Official Community Plan Advisory Committee and currently serves on the District's Land Use and Development Committee.

Helen is committed to planning in the public interest - protecting Sooke's natural environment and community character while ensuring growth is supported by the infrastructure, services, and public spaces residents need.

"I'm running because I believe Sooke's future depends on thoughtful planning, listening to our community, and making decisions that protect what we love while preparing responsibly for what's ahead."

Learn more about Helen at https://helenritts.ca/

Council Candidate

Steve Sorensen moved to Sooke with his family as a young child and has called it home ever since. He graduated from Edward Milne Community School, worked at his family's Sunny Shores Resort, became a Red Seal carpenter and business owner, and dedicated more than three decades to protecting the people of Sooke.

Steve served as both a volunteer and professional firefighter before becoming Sooke Fire Chief. During his career, he strengthened emergency services by building regional partnerships, improving training opportunities, and expanding mutual aid agreements with neighbouring communities. In recognition of his service, Fire Station #2 was renamed the Sorensen Station in his honour.

Steve also served as Sooke's Community Coroner and volunteered with Search and Rescue, Emergency Support Services, and the Lions Club.

As one of the District of Sooke's earliest employees and a former department head, Steve brings a unique perspective on how local government works. He believes the best decisions begin by listening to the people they affect.

"People have different values and different concerns, and all of them matter. My role as a councillor is to listen carefully, weigh those perspectives fairly, and make decisions based on what is best for Sooke."

Learn more about Steve at https://www.stevesorensen.ca/

Council Candidate

Susan Belford moved to Sooke in 2019 after many years living in Saanich and other Capital Region communities. Throughout her career in the non-profit sector, she has worked as a mediator, facilitator, fundraiser, executive director, community organizer, curriculum designer, filmmaker, and actor - bringing people together to solve problems and build stronger communities.

A lifelong volunteer, Susan has a remarkable history of turning ideas into action. She helped establish a toy library in Vic West, co-founded a community association in Saanich, and led a major public consultation that helped shape Saanich's Uptown-Douglas Corridor Action Plan.

Since moving to Sooke, she has served on the District's Land Use and Development Committee and volunteered with organizations including Transition Sooke, the Sooke Arts Council, Zero Waste Sooke, Sooke Harbour Players, Friends of Eagle Bluffs Society, and 606 Water.

Susan is committed to helping Sooke prepare for a shared future – one where everyone has a safe, comfortable home in a resilient community, local businesses prosper, natural areas are protected, and residents enjoy abundant parks, green space, and healthy, locally produced food.

Learn more about Susan at https://www.belfordforsooke.ca/

Council Candidate

Brian McHattie chose Sooke as his home in 2025 after a distinguished career in municipal government, community planning, business, and environmental leadership.

A Registered Professional Planner and former three-term Hamilton City Councillor, Brian has spent decades helping communities balance economic development, housing, environmental stewardship, and responsible growth.

Throughout his career, Brian helped create Canada's first municipal sustainable development plan, championed affordable housing, poverty reduction, arts, and civic inclusion, and worked to protect hundreds of environmentally significant natural areas. His approach has always been grounded in practical solutions, long-term thinking, and decisions made in the public interest.

Since moving to Sooke, Brian has immersed himself in community life, volunteering with the Jack Brooks Salmon Hatchery, Friends of Eagle Bluffs Society, ALM Organic Farm, the Sooke Fine Arts Show, Sooke Region Lifelong Learning, and the Sooke Community Investment Cooperative.

Brian believes Sooke's future depends on respecting the community's plans and vision – the very qualities that drew so many of us to make Sooke our home.

He is committed to thoughtful planning in the public interest, supporting local businesses, strengthening neighbourhoods, protecting our natural assets, and ensuring growth reflects the values of the community.

Learn more about Brian at https://brianmchattie.com/