Policy Statement

The purpose of the Policy Statement (Consolidated April 2003) is to express a vision for the future of the Trust Area and to translate that vision into policies of Trust Council. The Policy Statement articulates, through goals and policies, how the Islands Trust will satisfy its legislated object.

Function of the Policy Statement

The Policy Statement lays the foundation for all the principles, decisions and policies for preserving and protecting the unique amenities and environment of the Islands Trust Area.  It is a document that is fundamental to the operations of the Islands Trust, guiding the development of land use planning and regulatory bylaws of local trust committees and Bowen Island Municipality as well as Trust Council’s strategic plan and advocacy program.

The positions and philosophy of Trust Council contained in the Policy Statement also constitute a policy framework for reference by the public and other agencies such as the regional districts of the Trust Area, the Province, and its agencies.

Graphic: BC’s Land Use Planning System – from Regional Vision to Local Regulation

Development of the Policy Statement

The Policy Statement was developed over a period of two years from 1991 to 1993, through a comprehensive public consultation process. Information was provided to Trust Council from individuals, groups and other government agencies through presentations and more than 400 written submissions. The high level of public participation and interest shown in the Policy Statement, and the values, hopes and concerns regarding the Trust Area expressed by the public informed Trust Council's formulation of goals and policies.

Three Types of Policies

Three distinct types of policies are contained in the Policy Statement:

1. policies that establish a position or philosophy of Trust Council;
2. policies that direct local trust committees and municipalities in the Trust Area to address certain matters; and,
3. policies that recommend certain actions on the part of interested parties.

Here is an example of the three types of policies, taken from Part IV of the Policy Statement, item 4.4 - Freshwater Resources:

(1)  Commitment of Trust Council

4.4.1 It is Trust Council’s policy that islands in the Trust Area should be self-sufficient in regard to their supply of freshwater.

(2) Directive Policy
4.4.3 Local trust committees and island municipalities shall, in their official community plans and regulatory bylaws, address measures that ensure water use is not to the detriment of in-stream uses.

(3) Recommendation
4.4.4 Trust Council encourages island property owners, residents and visitors to adopt conservation practices in their use of freshwater.

Nature of Policies

Policies in the Policy Statement promote:

• preservation and protection of ecosystems - protecting the natural systems that sustain us,
• stewardship of resources - responding sensitively to the inherent capacities and limitations of resources, and
• sustainable communities - communities in which development and activities are managed in accordance with environmental capability, valued attributes are protected, and individuals play a participatory role in the making of decisions that affect them.

Guiding Principles

The Policy Statement's guiding principles, derived from the Islands Trust's legislated object and from the values, hopes and concerns for the future expressed by the public, guide Trust Council and local trust committees in their day-to-day planning and decision-making. These principles emphasize Council's responsibility for leadership in promoting:

• voluntary stewardship of Trust Area resources and amenities;
• preservation and protection of the Trust Area's environment;
• management of growth;
• utilization of local knowledge in decision-making processes; and
• provision for public participation in such processes.

While the Policy Statement constitutes a vision for the future of the Trust Area, it is not a magic formula for realizing that vision. Responsibility for leadership rests with the Islands Trust, however actions necessary to preserve and protect the Trust Area's character, amenities and environment are the responsibilities of us all.

Reviewing the Policy Statement

In March 2010, Trust Council established a Policy Statement Assessment Task Force to conduct a preliminary assessment of the Trust Policy Statement and make recommendations regarding further actions. The task force produced a final report in May 2011.

In March 2012, Trust Council considered undertaking a three year comprehensive Policy Statement review process with funding from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund, but opted to consider ways to implement existing policies on the Policy Statement in June.  To learn more, please visit our Policy Statement Review webpage.

Need More Information?

For more information about the Islands Trust Policy Statement, please contact:

Mailing Address:
Islands Trust
200 - 1627 Fort St
Victoria, BC
V8R 1H8

Main: (250) 405-5151
Fax: (250) 405-5155