Round 2 Engagement on the OCP update is now complete – thank you, Fernie!

If you completed an OCP workbook, winners of the five $100 gift cards will be contact directly in the coming days – stay tuned!

The City of Fernie is taking meaningful steps to shape our community's future through two key planning initiatives:

1. The creation of a new Housing Needs Report (HNR) (Completed December 2025); and

2. 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.

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 (Complete April 2026)

Thank you to everyone who participated in Round 2 engagement for the Official Community Plan (OCP) update.

Over the past few weeks, residents shared thoughtful ideas, feedback and perspectives through Fernie Future Fest (April 22), OCP workbooks (April 22 – May 11), and conversations that will help shape Fernie’s future.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to participate and contribute to the process.

NEXT STEPS

The project team is now reviewing all input received through Round 2 engagement and will use it to help prepare the draft Official Community Plan.

The draft OCP will be shared with the community during Round 3 engagement in early 2027, where residents will have the opportunity to review the document and provide feedback before it is finalized and presented to Council for approval.

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.

Round 1 Engagement What We Heard Report (September - December 2025)

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.

Interim OCP Amendment (December 2025)

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 (November 2025)

The final Fernie Housing Needs Report was approved by Council on November 25, 2025, and is now available for download.