OCP

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Official Community Plan Project

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government has begun the process of updating the 2013 Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP will help shape the future of hitac̓u and surrounding Treaty Settlement Lands (TSL), reflecting our values, priorities and vision. The OCP is the community’s plan, and it built by first gathering the thoughts and perspectives of as many community members as possible: including citizens, youth, and Elders. We look forward to engaging with community members along the way, and we will share how you can get involved.

What is an Official Community Plan?

An Official Community Plan is a comprehensive, long-term plan that guides the functions of the government, the services delivered to citizens and community members, land use decisions, and development across our TSL. The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government TSL spans over nearly 5,500 hectares, including lands surrounding hitac̓u, areas north of Ucluelet, Effingham Inlet, and along the Nahmint River.

The OCP will guide decisions related to housing, infrastructure, transportation, economic development, and ecologically and culturally significant areas. It will also support spaces for citizens to gather, practice culture, and enjoy the land. The OCP contains the goals of the community and policies to deliver services that support community health, safety, well-being, and education, as well as programs to expand, celebrate, and deepen our language and culture.

This work will replace the current Official Community Plan Act (YFNS 32/2013) and will be developed in alignment with Part 2 of the Planning and Land Use Management Act (YFNS 13/2011). It will also inform updates to related laws, including the Zoning and Structures Act (YFNS 51/2016), and will pull together key policy YG frameworks, including the Strategic Plan, Housing Roadmap, and the ʔuʔaałuk̓ʷiʔaała nism̓aakqin – Taking care of our land always (Mother earth) Plan, among others.

What to expect

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government will work closely with citizens through a range of engagement opportunities, including in-person gatherings, virtual sessions, surveys, and a formal public hearing. Community input is essential to understand citizens’ priorities and values, such as sustainable growth, community well-being, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ identity, and how decisions about land use and economic development should be made.

The new OCP is anticipated to be adopted in 2027.

Stay Informed

There will be many opportunities to participate throughout the process. Updates and engagement opportunities will be shared as the work progresses.

Your voice is essential in shaping the future of our lands and community. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to ocp@ufn.ca.

For a chance to share your vision, priorities, opportunities, and challenges, fill out our OCP survey here.