The City of Fernie is taking meaningful steps to shape our community's future through two key planning initiatives:
- The creation of a new Housing Needs Report (HNR) (Completed December 2025); and
- A full review and update of the 2014 Official Community Plan (OCP).
These projects are all about making Fernie the best it can be – now, and for generations to come - and we want your voice to help guide the way.
Project Overview
The planning initiatives include two parts, each playing an important role in planning for Fernie’s future.
Part 1) Housing Needs Report (HNR) + Interim OCP Update (COMPLETE)
The HNR is a provincially required, research-based report that looks at Fernie’s housing challenges using demographic, economic, and market data. It identifies the kinds of housing our community needs today and in the future - and helps us plan accordingly. The core methodology for calculating housing needs is provided by the Province and must be followed.
Read the 2025 Fernie Housing Needs Report.
As required by B.C.’s Local Government Act, the findings were integrated into the current OCP through an interim amendment in December 2025.
Part 2) Official Community Plan (OCP) Review and Update
Fernie’s OCP is a long-range plan that sets out our vision, policies, and priorities for land use, housing, environment, transportation, infrastructure, and more. The OCP is the guiding document that helps Council and City staff make decisions that shape how Fernie grows, develops, and evolves.
Our current OCP was adopted in 2014. With over a decade of growth and change since then, it’s time for a comprehensive update. This update includes technical analysis, refreshed policy direction, and a renewed community vision.
Your Voice Matters
Community input is critical to creating a plan that reflects Fernie’s values and priorities. Whether you’re a long-time resident, business owner, parent, senior, youth, or newcomer — your voice matters.
Round 1 Engagement (Complete September 2025)
In Round 1 Engagement, we asked you to tell us what matters most to you and provide input on key topics like housing, the economy, tourism, recreation, and more. You also shared your experiences with housing in Fernie to help us refine and finalize the HNR and interim OCP amendment.
Curious what we heard from the community? Check out the What We Heard Report.
Round 2 Engagement (April 2026)
In Round 2, we’re bringing the input from Round 1 back to you as emerging core values and to help understand your priorities for Fernie’s future.
You can expect to provide input on:
- Core values and community priorities
Do the emerging values to be included in the OCP reflect your vision for the future of Fernie? - Approaches to growth and change
Different ways Fernie could evolve - and what different approaches could mean for the community. Helping inform the overall direction set in the OCP. - Specific feedback on key topics
Taking what mattered most to you in Round 1 and digging deeper to help us develop draft OCP policies for each topic.
How can you participate in Round 2?
- Join us at the Fernie Future Fest on April 22
- Grab a Fernie Future Workbook (available on April 22)
- Complete the online survey (April 22 - May 11)
FERNIE FUTURE FEST
Join us for a drop-in community party where planning meets pizza and play!
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: Drop in between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Location Fernie Family Centre, 521 4th Avenue, Fernie B.C.
*Free pizza, interactive activities, workbooks, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Move through the space at your own pace; whether you stay for a few minutes or the whole evening, your input will help confirm that the goals and directions we’re developing reflect what the community wants for the years ahead.
Everyone is encouraged to come by, share their thoughts, and be a part of shaping Fernie’s future.
We hope to see you there!
FERNIE FUTURE WORKBOOK
(Available starting April 22)
Pick up a printed copy at City Hall, Future Fernie Fest, or download it online. You can complete the workbook:
- On your own
- With family or friends
- As a group with colleagues or classmates
Every completed workbook will be entered into a draw to win one of five $100 gift cards to local businesses.
Please return your completed workbook to City Hall or email it to ocp@fernie.ca by May 11.
ONLINE SURVEY
An online survey will be available on this website from April 22 – May 11, 2026.
Stay Connected
We’ll be updating this page regularly with new opportunities to get involved, survey links, and reports.
Sign up for the City Connect newsletter to stay in the loop.
Have a question? Reach out to the project team at ocp@fernie.ca.
Latest News
Interim OCP Amendment
After closing the Public Hearing on December 16, 2025, Council approved the interim Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments with third and final reading. These amendments fulfill the requirements of Bill 44 (Housing Statutes Amendment Act), which mandated an update to the City’s Housing Needs Report (HNR) and required the City to address the findings in the OCP before the end of 2025.
This marks the first step in the comprehensive OCP rewrite and ensures the City complies with new provincial regulations.
Housing Needs Report
The final Fernie Housing Needs Report was approved by Council on November 25, 2025, and is now available for download.
Round 1 Engagement What We Heard Report
The Round 1 What We Heard Report is now available! It summarizes the feedback gathered from Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Community Partners, the open house, and the online survey.
