Wednesday June 11, 2025 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A resident of Sooke since 2022, Katherine Strongwind is running for a seat on District of Sooke council.
Her campaign is happening with the current by-election for one open seat on Sooke council. Seven candidates are vying for the one spot.
The seat became open in November 2024 when former municipal councillor Dana Lajeunesse resigned having won the Juan de Fuca-Malahat seat in the October 19, 2024 provincial election.
The by-election date was later set as July 12, 2025, with advance voting available on July 2 and July 9.
Background:
Strongwind has worked for the BC Government and in 2022 relocated to Sooke so she run her government and political consulting business from home. That enables spending more time getting to know the local community. “It’s important to engage,” said Strongwind today in a campaign interview with Island Social Trends.
She was the campaign manager for current Sooke Mayor Maja Tait’s federal NDP campaign in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke during the recent 45th federal general election. During that experience Strongwind met more people across the Sooke region during that spring season campaign and learned more about local issues.
Strongwind, 52, is currently undertaking her Masters in economic development and communications at Royal Roads University. She is a mother and grandmother.
Local issues on the campaign trail:
Strongwind says she is excited to be part of the third-largest fastest growing municipal region of South Vancouver Island (growth is stronger only in Langford and Colwood).
From her engagement with local residents, businesses and community leaders she sees the top three issues for Sooke as transportation, infrastructure and jobs. As well, the concerns around health care services in the Sooke region is something she feels that the local municipal council can advocate for and take action to support, such as ensuring that part of a lot on Wadams Way (Lot A) is designated for a future community health facility.
Strongwind sees various institutions like the Sooke Region Museum and media outlets as key components of how the region becomes informed about itself. She will be at each of the Sooke Night Market events on the museum grounds on Thursday evenings (5 pm to 8 pm) leading up to the July 12 election, to meet people and chat about local issues.
On Saturday June 21, Strongwind will host a solstice dinner at Sooke Community Hall, to further engage with local voters.
An All Candidates meeting will be held at the Sooke Legion on June 24.
Why be on Sooke council:
If elected, Strongwind would hope to be part of bringing more businesses to Sooke, being more inclusive with local First Nations, encourage further economic development, and help guide the best use of funds from the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT).
Whoever wins on July 12 will be joining a long-standing council. Tait has been the Mayor since 2014, and most of the current council was re-elected in 2022 after serving since 2018 including Jeff Bateman and Kevin Pearson.
Campaign presence:
The Strongwind campaign signage has been going up around town. The candidate has been out doorknocking and seeking donations.
Some Strongwind campaign videos will soon be posted on social media.
===== RELATED:
- Seven candidates vie for council seat in Sooke by-election (June 7, 2025)
- District of Sooke by-election coming up July 12 (May 20, 2025)
- MLA-elect Dana Lajeunesse resigns from District of Sooke council (November 8, 2024)
- Dana Lajeunesse pulls it off for BC NDP in Juan de Fuca-Malahat (October 28, 2024)
- Fate of long-in-coming Sooke health centre in BC Election 2024 (October 18, 2024)
- Throup in Sooke: small road, big politics (June 22, 2024)
- Horgan in Sooke for his last constituency speech, announces big health-care prize (March 18, 2023)
- NEWS SECTIONS: SOOKE | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND