T’SOU-KE NATION, B.C., September 23, 2026 – T’Sou-ke Nation is moving forward with business-case work to explore the potential for a Nation-led regional health centre on T’Sou-ke Nation land, working with Community Healthcare Systems (CHS) and health-care, planning and community partners.
The early-stage concept, described as a Campus of Care, Learning and Innovation Hub, responds to long-standing health-care needs in Sooke and surrounding communities. The business case will examine whether a regional model could bring together primary and allied health care, education, research, innovation, traditional healing and emergency planning to support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
T’Sou-ke Chief and Council have endorsed continued exploration of the concept and engaged CHS to support development of the business case and a future expression-of-interest process. Early planning has considered a centre of approximately 18,000 square feet, with the business case determining potential size, services, governance, funding, partnerships and long-term feasibility.
The potential regional centre is separate from T’Sou-ke Nation’s existing Community Complex and Health Centre, which opened in 2025 and supports health, governance, culture and community connection for the Nation.
“Improving health and access to care has always been a passion of mine, and we know there are gaps in our region that mean too many people have to travel or wait for the care they need,” said Rose Dumont, Health Manager and Councillor, T’Sou-ke Nation. “I also want to recognize and thank the many people, Nations, community groups and partners who have worked for decades to improve health care in Sooke and the surrounding area. That work matters, because we must do better for those needing care. We have an opportunity to build on it and explore a better way forward, led by T’Sou-ke Nation, that is inclusive, culturally grounded and focused on the health of our people and our neighbours.”
T’Sou-ke Nation and the partners involved in this work welcome the additional urgent-care capacity announced for Sooke by the Province, and note that the Nation-led regional health centre is a separate initiative with a different scope and purpose. The business case will examine whether a broader Nation-led regional model could complement existing services and address health-care needs that remain.
“When the Saunders Family Foundation and Community Healthcare Systems worked on resiliency planning for the Sooke region, we heard a clear need for improved health-care services,” said Dave Saunders, Director of CHS. “This business case will build on that work and CHS’s four pillars of support: Healthcare Solutions Playbook, Toolkit, Emergency and Resiliency Plans. To be entrusted by T’Sou-ke Nation to help explore this model is a sincere honour. If the business case supports moving forward, it could improve access to care while creating new jobs, training and research opportunities across the region.”
Dr. Anton Rabien of West Coast Family Medical Clinic is contributing a local primary-care perspective to the work. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with T’Sou-ke Nation and other community partners to explore what a Campus of Care could look like in Sooke,” said Dr. Rabien. “As a family physician, I see enormous potential in bringing primary care, allied health services, education, and other health-care resources together in a way that better serves both T’Sou-ke Nation and the broader community. There is still a great deal of work to be done, but I’m very pleased to be part of the conversation and look forward to seeing where it leads.”
The business case will assess potential services including primary and allied health care, virtual care, diagnostic and imaging services, mental health supports, health-care education and training, research and innovation, traditional healing and community emergency planning. It will also examine governance and operating models, funding and financing options, service partnerships and potential participants in a future centre.
First Nations Bank of Canada has expressed interest in learning more about the initiative and discussing potential financing options as the work develops.
No final decisions have been made on construction, service mix, funding, governance or timing. The purpose of the current phase is to determine what the region needs, what partners could contribute and whether a sustainable Nation-led model can be developed.
Additional quotes
“Projects of this scale need to start with a strong understanding of community needs, land use, infrastructure and long-term viability. The business-case stage provides an opportunity to look at those considerations together and develop a planning framework that reflects T’Sou-ke Nation’s vision while considering how a future centre could serve the wider region.” – Mark Holland, Principal, Westplan Consulting Group and CHS Director
“Back in 2007, I first became involved in the vision for a comprehensive primary health care centre in Sooke when I was working with Island Health. It is remarkable how much time, effort, funding, and determination have gone into pursuing this vision over the past 19 years. To be a partner in creating it now through the vision, leadership and determination of T’Sou-ke Nation is both exciting and deeply meaningful. I am grateful for the opportunity to once again work alongside people who were part of that original vision in 2007, and to see the evolution of that vision stewarded by the T’Sou-ke Nation to become an epicentre of care that serves the region in new and innovative ways.” – Valerie Nicol, President of CHS
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About T’Sou-ke Nation
T’Sou-ke Nation is a Northern Straits Salish Nation located in Sooke, B.C. Guided by its culture, traditional laws and values, the Nation is committed to strong governance, self-determination, holistic health, responsible stewardship of its lands and waters, education and the well-being of its community. Its long-term planning is grounded in a seven-generation approach, creating opportunities for T’Sou-ke people while building meaningful relationships and partnerships with neighbouring communities. For more information, visit tsoukenation.com.
About Community Healthcare Systems
Community Healthcare Systems is a British Columbia-based benefit company focused on community-driven solutions that strengthen the resilience of health-care systems and the workers who support them, particularly in underserved regions. The organization collaborates with local governments, health agencies, developers and community partners to address housing, child care, transportation and facility needs for health-care and emergency workers, helping improve access to care and local economic vitality.
For more information, visit communityhealthcaresystems.ca.
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