The City of Chilliwack has officially launched the review of its Official Community Plan (OCP), setting the stage for how our community will grow and develop over the coming decades. While the review is crucial for addressing long-term challenges, the current public engagement phase might leave some residents wondering whether it's enough—and whether the process will deliver the results Chilliwack deserves.
Right now, we’re in Phase 1 of the OCP review, and the City has provided a set of online tools through Engage Chilliwack to collect feedback. These include:
While these options are accessible, they feel a bit underwhelming for a process that’s supposed to shape Chilliwack through 2050. There’s no indication yet of any in-person public events, such as workshops or town halls, which are typically more effective in creating dynamic dialogue and gathering more meaningful feedback.
The engagement so far is a step in the right direction, but many residents may feel like the City could do more to involve the community at a deeper level. Given the significance of this process, will there be more engagement options coming?
It’s fair for Chilliwack to feel cautious about how this process unfolds. Memories of the Walas Concepts project back in 2014 still linger, where a visioning process—hyped up with big promises—ultimately led to little tangible progress or results. After that experience, residents and the City alike have reason to be skeptical about how these kinds of projects can play out. There’s a valid concern that this review could follow a similar path.
However, it's important to note that this OCP review wasn’t initiated by the City—it was mandated by the Province. In 2023, new provincial legislation required all local governments to update their OCPs by the end of 2025, addressing pressing issues like housing affordability, densification, and climate resilience. The timing of this update is essential not only to comply with the law but also to ensure Chilliwack keeps up with regional growth pressures and changing provincial priorities.
Despite past disappointments, this review provides an opportunity for Chilliwack to shape its future, especially in terms of managing growth responsibly, improving transit options, and protecting both the environment and agricultural lands.
For a process of this magnitude, the current engagement tools feel somewhat limited. The online tools (Ideas Board, map pins, and questionnaire) are convenient but lack the depth that in-person workshops or more structured public discussions might bring. The hope is that as the OCP review progresses, more interactive and dynamic engagement opportunities will emerge.
The consulting firm Modus Planning Design & Engagement Inc., which was hired to lead the review, has expertise in planning and community engagement, but the initial phase has been relatively quiet. We’re all waiting to see if they—and the City—will step up efforts to create more opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
Despite the quiet start, this early phase of engagement is critical. The input collected now will lay the foundation for later stages of the OCP review, shaping the planning concepts that will be explored next. If you care about the future of Chilliwack, this is the time to get involved and make your voice heard.
Whether your concerns are about affordable housing, transportation, or sustainable development, your feedback will play a role in guiding the City’s priorities. Even though the engagement may feel underwhelming at the moment, don’t underestimate the importance of speaking up now.
So far, no public meetings or in-person workshops have been announced, which may leave some residents feeling disconnected from the process. But there’s still hope that as the review progresses, the City will ramp up its efforts and offer more robust engagement opportunities. This could include town halls, workshops, or even more detailed surveys.
The City of Chilliwack is at a critical juncture, and this OCP review—though not initiated by the City—has the potential to significantly impact the direction we take in the coming years. Now is the time for residents to engage with the tools available and demand more from the process to ensure it delivers value.
To make sure your voice is heard, here’s how you can engage right now:
Official Community Plan Update | Engage Chilliwack
While we hope for more engaging opportunities in the coming months, don’t wait for the next phase to get involved. The time to shape Chilliwack’s future is now.
