{{Short description|Town on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada}} {{other uses}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} <!-- Infobox begins --> {{Infobox settlement | name = Sechelt | official_name = District of Sechelt<ref name=BCmunis>{{cite web | url=http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/library/Name%20Incorp%202011.xls | title=British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address | publisher=British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development | type=[[Microsoft Excel|XLS]] | access-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref> | other_name = | native_name = ch'atlich | nickname = | settlement_type = [[List of district municipalities in British Columbia|District municipality]] | motto = {{force singular}} Blessed by Sun and Seas | image_skyline = Downtown Sechelt, BC.jpg | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = Downtown Sechelt in 2011 | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_size = | pushpin_map = Canada British Columbia | pushpin_label = Sechelt | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Sechelt in British Columbia | pushpin_mapsize = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = [[British Columbia]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of Canada#British Columbia|Region]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Regional districts of British Columbia|Regional District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia|Sunshine Coast RD]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | government_footnotes = <ref>[https://www.sechelt.ca/en/our-government/council.aspx Mayor & Council]</ref> | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = John Henderson | leader_title1 = Governing body | leader_name1 = Sechelt Municipal Council | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|MLAs]] | leader_name3 = [[Randene Neill]], [[New Democratic Party of British Columbia|NDP]] | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1862 (Roman Catholic mission) | established_title2 = Incorporated (Village) | established_date2 = Feb. 15, 1956 | established_title3 = District Municipality | established_date3 = June 30, 1986 | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 39.71 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | population_as_of = 2021 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 10,847 | population_density_km2 = 212.9 | population_density_sq_mi = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | timezone = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]] | utc_offset = -8 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|49|28|27|N|123|45|15|W|region:CA-BC|display=title,inline}} | elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> tags--> | elevation_m = 8 | elevation_ft = | postal_code_type = Postal code span | postal_code = [[List of V Postal Codes of Canada|V7Z]] and V0N 3A0 | area_code = [[Area code 604|+1-604]] | blank_name = | blank_info = | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website = {{Official URL}} | footnotes = }} <!-- Infobox ends --> '''Sechelt''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|ʃ|ɛ|l|t}}; {{Langx|sec|ch'atlich}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shishalh.com/culture-language/sechelt-language/|title = She shashishalhem, the Sechelt Language | shíshálh Nation, Sechelt, BC}}</ref>) is a [[district municipality]] located on the lower [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]] of [[British Columbia]]. Approximately {{Convert|50|km}} northwest of [[Vancouver]], it is accessible from mainland British Columbia by a 40-minute ferry trip between [[Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia|Horseshoe Bay]] and [[Langdale, British Columbia|Langdale]], and a 25-minute drive from Langdale along [[British Columbia Highway 101|Highway 101]], also known as the Sunshine Coast Highway. The name ''Sechelt'' is derived from the [[Sechelt language|she shashishalhem]] word ''[[Shíshálh Nation|shíshálh]],'' the name of the First Nations people who first settled the area thousands of years ago.
The original Village of Sechelt was incorporated on February 15, 1956. Sechelt later expanded its boundaries in 1986 with the inclusion of a number of adjacent unincorporated areas. The District of Sechelt, as it is known today, encompasses {{Convert|39.71|km2}} at the [[isthmus]] of the [[Sechelt Peninsula]], between the southern tip of [[Sechelt Inlet]] (Porpoise Bay) and the [[Strait of Georgia]] that separates the provincial mainland from [[Vancouver Island]].
Sechelt is a seaside community with approximately {{Convert|35|km}} of Pacific Ocean shoreline that extends primarily along the coastline of the Sunshine Coast, and is bounded to the west and east by the [[unincorporated area|unincorporated communities]] of [[Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia|Halfmoon Bay]] and [[Roberts Creek, British Columbia|Roberts Creek]], respectively. The 2016 Canadian census placed its population at 10,200. The regional offices of the [[Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia|Sunshine Coast Regional District]] of British Columbia are located in Sechelt.
Although its population is relatively small for its geographical area, Sechelt has several distinct neighbourhoods. From east to west, they are ts'uḵw'um (Wilson Creek), Davis Bay, Selma Park, the original Village of Sechelt, and West Sechelt. Several neighbourhoods around Sechelt Inlet were also included in Sechelt's 1986 incorporation as a district; these include West Porpoise Bay, East Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook, Tillicum Bay and Tuwanek. The [[Sechelt Indian Government District|shíshálh Nation Government District]], which contains a substantial commercial district, is immediately east of Sechelt's "downtown" village.
==History== The original inhabitants of Sechelt are the [[Sechelt Indian Band|shíshálh Nation]], a British Columbian [[First Nations in Canada|First Nation]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Sechelt Dictionary|last=Beaumont|first=Ron C.|publisher=Harbour Publishing|year=2011|pages=viii}}</ref> The town of Sechelt is known as "ch'atlich" in ''she shashishalhem'' (the [[Sechelt language|shíshálh language]]).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Sechelt Dictionary|last=Beaumont|first=Ron C.|publisher=Harbour Publishing|year=2011|pages=380}}</ref> For thousands of years, the shíshálh People practiced a hunting and gathering [[subsistence strategy]], making extensive use of the natural food resources located around ch'atlich, and its strategic location for access into the Sechelt Inlet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=lil xemit tems swiya nelh mes stutula: A Strategic Land Use Plan for the shíshálh Nation |url=https://shishalh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SLUP.pdf}}</ref>
Europeans began settling in the ch'atlich area in the 1860s and by the 1880s, developing an active centre of the logging and fishing industries with the construction of [[sawmill]]s and [[wharf|wharves]]. With sustained contact with European settlers, the shíshálh People's semi-nomadic way of life began to be substituted for a more sedentary life in Sechelt, a change heavily influenced by the establishment of a Roman Catholic church by the [[Oblates of Mary Immaculate]].<ref name=":0" /> Our Lady of the Rosary was completed in 1890 and cost the Sechelt people a sum of $8,000 to construct.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Salish People Volume IV|last=Hill-Tout|first=Charles|publisher=Talon Books|year=1978|pages=93}}</ref> In 1906, this church was destroyed in a fire, and a year later another church was erected in its place called Our Lady of Lourdes, but this too was destroyed by fire in October, 1970.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Early Indian Village Churches|last=Veilllete|first=John|publisher=University of British Columbia Press|year=1977|pages=36}}</ref>
The natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast soon attracted tourists, who arrived at the wharves at Trail Bay via steamship. The construction of the original provincial highway in 1952, Highway 101, now also known as Sunshine Coast Highway, and the accompanying commencement of ferry service to [[Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, British Columbia|Horseshoe Bay]] (near Vancouver) and [[Powell River, British Columbia|Powell River]] (hence to Vancouver Island) accelerated tourism and residential growth, which continues today.
In 2019, the Seawatch subdivision was evacuated due to a risk of sinkholes. The subdivision was built in 2006 and [[Covenant (law)#Related to land|covenants]] were placed on the land to release Sechelt from claims relating to the land, including sinkholes. Since the evacuation, multiple lawsuits have been filed between the 14 homeowners, Sechelt, the province of British Columbia, and the property developer over issues including an unnecessarily long state of emergency (awards granted to 2 residents),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mangione |first=Kendra |date=2022-01-12 |title=Judge sides with homeowners in B.C. sinkhole case against the province |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/judge-sides-with-homeowners-in-bc-sinkhole-case-against-the-province/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=CTV News |language=en}}</ref> Sechelt's claim that residents have an obligation to repair infrastructure and pay legal fees (ongoing),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Little |first=Simon |last2=McArthur |first2=Aaron |title=District of Sechelt sues residents forced from subdivision by sinkholes |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9207817/sechelt-sues-seawatch-resident/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> Sechelt's withholding of documents (set of documents released to resident),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordison |first=Connie |date=2021-11-11 |title=Sechelt's petition to withhold Seawatch documents dismissed |url=https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/sechelts-petition-to-withhold-seawatch-documents-dismissed-4748872 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Coast Reporter |language=en}}</ref> covenants on the properties (deemed valid),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordison |first=Connie |date=2021-10-01 |title=Seawatch covenant protects Sechelt from claims, B.C. appeals court rules |url=https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/seawatch-covenant-protects-sechelt-from-claims-bc-appeals-court-rules-4473753 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Coast Reporter |language=en}}</ref> and Sechelt's approval of the subdivision (negligence not found).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordison |first=Connie |date=2021-10-07 |title=Seawatch owners lose appeal in bid to claim approving officer negligence |url=https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/seawatch-owners-lose-appeal-in-bid-to-claim-approving-officer-negligence-4495162 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Coast Reporter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Slepian |first=Katya |date=2019-11-07 |title=Developer, government deny negligence in Sechelt sinkhole lawsuit |url=https://www.vicnews.com/news/developer-government-deny-negligence-in-sechelt-sinkhole-lawsuit-63471 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Victoria News |language=en}}</ref>
==Geography== Sechelt is a municipality on the Sunshine Coast, west northwest of Vancouver BC. Sechelt is located on an isthmus, a narrow strip of land that bridges between the Sechelt Peninsula and the BC mainland. This isthmus is bounded on the north by the Sechelt Inlet, and on the south by the Strait of Georgia.
The municipality consists of 3 non-contiguous areas, all separated by the [[Sechelt Indian Government District|shíshálh Nation Government District]].
=== Climate === Sechelt's climate is Cfb (Temperate Oceanic) according to the [[Köppen climate classification]], and is designated as USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (8b inland) by Environment Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://planthardiness.gc.ca/?lang=en&m=24&s=u&speciesid=1000000&phz=usda1981-2010|title=Plant Hardiness Zones in Canada – Index|website=sis.agr.gc.ca|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> It has the warmest nights in Canada.{{Weather box | metric first = yes | single line = yes | location = Merry Island Lightstation (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1960–present){{efn|1981–2010 normals are for Merry Island Lightstation, while extreme high and low temperatures are from Sechelt Aut (August 2007 to present),<ref name="Sechelt Aut">{{Cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=1&Year=2007&Month=8 |title=Daily Data Report for August 2007 |publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] |access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref> and Merry Island Lightstation (February 1960 to present).<ref name="Merry Island Lightstation">{{Cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1954-01-01%7C2001-12-13&dlyRange=1957-11-01%7C2022-06-21&mlyRange=1957-01-01%7C2007-02-01&StationID=320&Prov=BC&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=specDate&Month=2&Day=1&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Year=1960&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&txtRadius=25&optProxType=navLink&txtLatDecDeg=49.457996666667&txtLongDecDeg=-123.7152625&timeframe=2 |title=Daily Data Report for February 1960 |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=22 June 2022}}</ref>}}
| Jan maximum humidex =15.3 | Feb maximum humidex =13.3 | Mar maximum humidex =14.9 | Apr maximum humidex =19.4 | May maximum humidex =33.3 | Jun maximum humidex =46.0 | Jul maximum humidex =38.0 | Aug maximum humidex =37.0 | Sep maximum humidex =35.0 | Oct maximum humidex =22.1 | Nov maximum humidex =16.3 | Dec maximum humidex =12.2 | Jan record high C = 14.5 | Feb record high C = 14.3 | Mar record high C = 17.5 | Apr record high C = 21.0 | May record high C = 28.4 | Jun record high C = 40.8 | Jul record high C = 35.3 | Aug record high C = 35.4 | Sep record high C = 33.0 | Oct record high C = 21.1 | Nov record high C = 15.6 | Dec record high C = 14.0 <!-- Average high temperatures --> | Jan high C = 7.1 | Feb high C = 7.7 | Mar high C = 9.6 | Apr high C = 12.4 | May high C = 16.1 | Jun high C = 19.0 | Jul high C = 21.4 | Aug high C = 21.3 | Sep high C = 18.1 | Oct high C = 12.9 | Nov high C = 9.0 | Dec high C = 6.8 | year high C = 13.5 <!-- Mean daily temperature --> | Jan mean C = 5.4 | Feb mean C = 5.7 | Mar mean C = 7.3 | Apr mean C = 9.7 | May mean C = 13.0 | Jun mean C = 16.0 | Jul mean C = 18.2 | Aug mean C = 18.2 | Sep mean C = 15.2 | Oct mean C = 10.8 | Nov mean C = 7.3 | Dec mean C = 5.2 | year mean C = 11.0 <!-- Average low temperatures --> | Jan low C = 3.6 | Feb low C = 3.6 | Mar low C = 4.9 | Apr low C = 6.9 | May low C = 10.0 | Jun low C = 12.9 | Jul low C = 14.9 | Aug low C = 15.1 | Sep low C = 12.3 | Oct low C = 8.7 | Nov low C = 5.5 | Dec low C = 3.5 | year low C = 8.5 <!-- Record low temperatures --> | Jan record low C = -7.2 | Feb record low C = -10.1 | Mar record low C = -3.6 | Apr record low C = -1.1 | May record low C = 2.5 | Jun record low C = 5.6 | Jul record low C = 9.0 | Aug record low C = 8.9 | Sep record low C = 3.9 | Oct record low C = -0.4 | Nov record low C = -7.3 | Dec record low C = -11.7
| Jan chill =-15 | Feb chill =-13 | Mar chill =-7 | Apr chill =0 | May chill =0 | Jun chill =0 | Jul chill =0 | Aug chill =0 | Sep chill =0 | Oct chill =0 | Nov chill =-14 | Dec chill =-21
| precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 135.5 | Feb precipitation mm = 92.2 | Mar precipitation mm = 90.1 | Apr precipitation mm = 69.9 | May precipitation mm = 62.5 | Jun precipitation mm = 53.9 | Jul precipitation mm = 34.7 | Aug precipitation mm = 35.7 | Sep precipitation mm = 48.7 | Oct precipitation mm = 106.1 | Nov precipitation mm = 165.0 | Dec precipitation mm = 134.5 | year precipitation mm = 1028.8 <!-- Rainfall --> | rain colour = green | Jan rain mm = 130.1 | Feb rain mm = 88.5 | Mar rain mm = 87.8 | Apr rain mm = 69.9 | May rain mm = 62.4 | Jun rain mm = 53.9 | Jul rain mm = 34.7 | Aug rain mm = 35.7 | Sep rain mm = 48.7 | Oct rain mm = 106.0 | Nov rain mm = 161.3 | Dec rain mm = 127.0 | year rain mm = 1006.0 <!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow cm = 5.3 | Feb snow cm = 3.8 | Mar snow cm = 2.4 | Apr snow cm = 0.1 | May snow cm = 0.1 | Jun snow cm = 0 | Jul snow cm = 0 | Aug snow cm = 0 | Sep snow cm = 0 | Oct snow cm = 0.1 | Nov snow cm = 3.6 | Dec snow cm = 7.5 | year snow cm = 22.8 <!-- Average number of precipitation days --> | unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm | Jan precipitation days = 20.0 | Feb precipitation days = 15.6 | Mar precipitation days = 18.0 | Apr precipitation days = 15.0 | May precipitation days = 13.2 | Jun precipitation days = 11.0 | Jul precipitation days = 6.3 | Aug precipitation days = 6.8 | Sep precipitation days = 8.7 | Oct precipitation days = 16.2 | Nov precipitation days = 20.7 | Dec precipitation days = 19.8 | year precipitation days = 171.3
| Jan rain days =19.0 | Feb rain days =14.9 | Mar rain days =17.7 | Apr rain days =14.9 | May rain days =13.2 | Jun rain days =11.0 | Jul rain days =6.3 | Aug rain days =6.8 | Sep rain days =8.7 | Oct rain days =16.1 | Nov rain days =20.2 | Dec rain days =19.0
| unit snow days = 0.2 cm | Jan snow days =1.7 | Feb snow days =1.3 | Mar snow days =0.5 | Apr snow days =0.1 | May snow days =0.1 | Jun snow days =0.0 | Jul snow days =0.0 | Aug snow days =0.0 | Sep snow days =0.0 | Oct snow days =0.1 | Nov snow days =0.9 | Dec snow days =1.2 | year snow days =
| Jan sun = 54.1 | Feb sun = 87.0 | Mar sun = 130.3 | Apr sun = 180.6 | May sun = 228.3 | Jun sun = 220.7 | Jul sun = 282.0 | Aug sun = 270.8 | Sep sun = 214.6 | Oct sun = 117.4 | Nov sun = 57.4 | Dec sun = 50.4 | year sun = 1893.6
| Jan percentsun = 20.1 | Feb percentsun = 30.5 | Mar percentsun = 35.4 | Apr percentsun = 43.9 | May percentsun = 48.0 | Jun percentsun = 45.4 | Jul percentsun = 57.5 | Aug percentsun = 60.6 | Sep percentsun = 56.6 | Oct percentsun = 35.0 | Nov percentsun = 20.9 | Dec percentsun = 19.7 | year percentsun = 39.5 !-- Mandatory fields, source --> | source = <ref>{{cite web |url= https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=merry&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=320&dispBack=1&month1=0&month2=12 |title= Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data |date= 25 September 2013 |publisher= Environment Canada |access-date=December 30, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Data Report for July 2009|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=1&Year=2009&Month=7#}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hourly Data Report for July 28, 2009|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/hourly_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=1&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=28&Year=2009&Month=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Data Report for September 2017|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=1&Year=2017&Month=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hourly Data Report for September 4, 2017|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/hourly_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=1&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=4&Year=2017&Month=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Data Report for June 2021|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=23&Year=2021&Month=6#}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hourly Data Report for June 28, 2021|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/hourly_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=1&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=28&Year=2021&Month=6&time=LST}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Data Report for August 2021|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=23&Year=2021&Month=8#}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hourly Data Report for August 12, 2021|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/hourly_data_e.html?StationID=45788&timeframe=1&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&Day=12&Year=2021&Month=8}}</ref> }}
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== Demographics == In the [[2021 Canadian census]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Sechelt had a population of 10,847 living in 5,128 of its 5,738 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:10847-10216}}|10216|1}} from its 2016 population of 10,216. With a land area of {{cvt|39.02|km2}}, it had a population density of {{convert|278|/km2||disp=preunit|people |people}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000259 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 20, 2022}}</ref>
=== Ethnicity === {| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" |+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the District of Sechelt (2001–2021) ! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br>group ! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB"/> ! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Geo2=CD&Code2=5929&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Data=Count&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> |- !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} |- | [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}} | 8,805 | {{Percentage | 8805 | 10610 | 2 }} | 8,500 | {{Percentage | 8500 | 10010 | 2 }} | 8,345 | {{Percentage | 8345 | 9105 | 2 }} | 7,665 | {{Percentage | 7665 | 8330 | 2 }} | 7,290 | {{Percentage | 7290 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]] | 525 | {{Percentage | 525 | 10610 | 2 }} | 605 | {{Percentage | 605 | 10010 | 2 }} | 330 | {{Percentage | 330 | 9105 | 2 }} | 280 | {{Percentage | 280 | 8330 | 2 }} | 240 | {{Percentage | 240 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}} | 455 | {{Percentage | 455 | 10610 | 2 }} | 315 | {{Percentage | 315 | 10010 | 2 }} | 245 | {{Percentage | 245 | 9105 | 2 }} | 95 | {{Percentage | 95 | 8330 | 2 }} | 35 | {{Percentage | 35 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}} | 355 | {{Percentage | 355 | 10610 | 2 }} | 325 | {{Percentage | 325 | 10010 | 2 }} | 130 | {{Percentage | 130 | 9105 | 2 }} | 115 | {{Percentage | 115 | 8330 | 2 }} | 80 | {{Percentage | 80 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]] | 250 | {{Percentage | 250 | 10610 | 2 }} | 110 | {{Percentage | 110 | 10010 | 2 }} | 25 | {{Percentage | 25 | 9105 | 2 }} | 10 | {{Percentage | 10 | 8330 | 2 }} | 15 | {{Percentage | 15 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}} | 80 | {{Percentage | 80 | 10610 | 2 }} | 25 | {{Percentage | 25 | 10010 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 9105 | 2 }} | 40 | {{Percentage | 40 | 8330 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[African-Canadian|African]] | 70 | {{Percentage | 70 | 10610 | 2 }} | 30 | {{Percentage | 30 | 10010 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 9105 | 2 }} | 55 | {{Percentage | 55 | 8330 | 2 }} | 35 | {{Percentage | 35 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]] | 45 | {{Percentage | 45 | 10610 | 2 }} | 25 | {{Percentage | 25 | 10010 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 9105 | 2 }} | 60 | {{Percentage | 60 | 8330 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 7700 | 2 }} |- | Other/[[Multiracial people|Multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}} | 95 | {{Percentage | 95 | 10610 | 2 }} | 85 | {{Percentage | 85 | 10010 | 2 }} | 0 | {{Percentage | 0 | 9105 | 2 }} | 30 | {{Percentage | 30 | 8330 | 2 }} | 10 | {{Percentage | 10 | 7700 | 2 }} |- ! Total responses ! 10,610 ! {{Percentage | 10610 | 10847 | 2 }} ! 10,010 ! {{Percentage | 10010 | 10216 | 2 }} ! 9,105 ! {{Percentage | 9105 | 9291 | 2 }} ! 8,330 ! {{Percentage | 8330 | 8454 | 2 }} ! 7,700 ! {{Percentage | 7700 | 7775 | 2 }} |- ! Total population ! 10,847 ! {{Percentage | 10847 | 10847 | 2 }} ! 10,216 ! {{Percentage | 10216 | 10216 | 2 }} ! 9,291 ! {{Percentage | 9291 | 9291 | 2 }} ! 8,454 ! {{Percentage | 8454 | 8454 | 2 }} ! 7,775 ! {{Percentage | 7775 | 7775 | 2 }} |- class="sortbottom" | colspan="15" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}} |}
=== Religion === According to the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]], religious groups in Sechelt included:<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=sechelt&DGUIDlist=2021A00055929011&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> *[[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligion]] (5,955 persons or 56.1%) *[[Christianity in Canada|Christianity]] (4,010 persons or 37.8%) *[[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhism]] (170 persons or 1.6%) *[[Sikhism in Canada|Sikhism]] (150 persons or 1.4%) *[[Islam in Canada|Islam]] (75 persons or 0.7%) *[[Judaism in Canada|Judaism]] (95 persons or 0.9%) *[[Hinduism in Canada|Hinduism]] (40 persons or 0.4%) *Other (125 persons or 1.2%)
== Attractions == The village itself, the original locus of Sechelt, includes Clayton's Heritage Market (a grocery store named after its pioneering family owners) in Trail Bay Mall. A new public library with municipal hall opened in 1997, and a combined provincial courthouse and [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP) building, and a public recreation aquatic centre serving Sechelt and the surrounding area, have also been completed since that time.
Immediately to the east of the downtown village is the [[Sechelt Indian Government District|shíshálh Nation Government District]] municipality, home of the [[tems swiya Museum]] and gift shop, a shopping centre, movie theatre.
Other Sechelt area landmarks include:
* Sechelt (shíshálh) Hospital (originally St. Mary's, the Sunshine Coast's first hospital, renamed in 2015) * A satellite campus of [[Capilano University]] * The local regional government offices of the [[Sunshine Coast Regional District]] * [[Sechelt Aerodrome|Sechelt airport]], presently a small regional aerodrome, a few kilometres (miles) east of the downtown village in the ts'u<u>ḵ</u>w'um (Wilson Creek) neighbourhood * Davis Bay, with a public seawall walk, wharf, and lands for a public waterfront park, presently known as Mission Point Park * Sechelt Quarry, operated by Heidelberg Materials, one of the largest open-pit gravel [[quarry|quarries]] in North America.
==Recreation and tourism== Like other parts of the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt is known for its natural beauty, and is a popular destination for outdoor activities that include [[kayaking]], [[Underwater diving|diving]], [[snowshoeing]] and [[skiing]], [[hiking]] and [[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]], [[camping]] and [[mountain biking]]. There is an 18-hole public golf course, and a number of small [[marina]]s are available around Sechelt Inlet. Sechelt has several municipal parks, and larger provincial parks are nearby.
Auto enthusiasts come from around the Pacific Northwest for Sechelt's annual Sleepy Hollow Rod Run, and the "Show and Shine" held in conjunction with the August drag races at Sechelt Airport.
== Notable parks and conservation areas ==
=== Hidden Groves === The Hidden Groves area<ref>[http://secheltgroves.com/ Hidden Groves]</ref> of old growth forest adjoins the Sandy Hook neighbourhood, 6 km (4 miles) from downtown Sechelt and 2 km (1¼ miles) from [[Porpoise Bay Provincial Park]]. It has trails for walkers and hikers of various abilities, from easy walks of around 15 minutes to more strenuous treks of 3 or 4 kilometres (about 2 miles). A wheelchair-accessible trail of 480 metres (525 yards) into the Ancient Grove area is also suitable for people with walkers, strollers, and those not so fit. A second 400-metre (yard) accessibility trail loops from the entrance kiosk through pristine forest and back.
The entrance kiosk features a large map of the trails. All trails are well-marked and maintained. There are signs at all intersections with directions, maps and guides.
The Groves includes giant ancient trees, maple wetland, and rocky promontories with views of Vancouver Island and Sechelt Inlet. There is parking at the entrance to the trails. It is a legal off-leash area for dogs.
The Sechelt Heritage Forest portion of the Groves is a protected interpretive forest as designated by the Province. Hidden Grove is currently part of the BC Forest and under a special tenure to the Sechelt Community Forest, which has declared the Grove a special high-priority recreational area and mandated it shall not be logged. Volunteers provide daily maintenance.
=== Porpoise Bay Provincial Park === [[Porpoise Bay Provincial Park]] is some 4 km (2½ miles) north of downtown Sechelt, on the east side of [[Sechelt Inlet]]. It is characterized by second-growth forest, open grassy areas and sandy beaches.
==Education== The [[School District 46 Sunshine Coast]] operates public schools in the region.
The ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique]]'' operates two Francophone schools in that city: the ''école du Pacifique'' primary school and ''[[école secondaire Chatelech]]''.<ref>"[http://www.csf.bc.ca/ecoles/en-colombie-britannique/carte-des-ecoles/ Carte des écoles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817050550/http://www.csf.bc.ca/ecoles/en-colombie-britannique/carte-des-ecoles/ |date=2015-08-17 }}." ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique]]''. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery class="center"> Image:Cowrie Street Sechelt.jpg|Cowrie Street, the main village thoroughfare Image:Trail Bay Sechelt.jpg|Trail Bay, and the seawall which runs alongside it, at the southern end of the village. Image:Porpoise Bay Sechelt.jpg|Porpoise Bay, at the southern end of Sechelt Inlet, located on the north end of the village. </gallery>
==See also== *[[Sechelt Peninsula]] *[[Sechelt Inlet]] *[[Porpoise Bay Provincial Park]] *[[Mount Richardson Provincial Park]]
== Notes == {{notelist}}
==References==
<references /> *[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5929011&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Sechelt&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Sechelt District Municipality, Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia; Statistics Canada] *[http://www.bigpacific.com/sechelt/history.html A brief history of Sechelt] *[https://www.sechelt.ca/ The District of Sechelt] *[http://secheltgroves.com/index.html The Hidden Groves]
==External links== {{Commons category|Sechelt, British Columbia}} *{{Official website}} *{{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{Subdivisions of British Columbia|district=yes}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Sechelt| ]] [[Category:District municipalities in British Columbia]] [[Category:Populated places in the Sunshine Coast Regional District]]