Policy Statement

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

• Policy Statement (Consolidated April 2003)

In March 2010, Trust Council established a Policy Statement Assessment Task Force as a subcommittee of the Trust Programs Committee to conduct a preliminary assessment of the Trust Policy Statement and make recommendations regarding further actions.

Function of the Policy Statement

The Policy Statement provides broad policy guidelines for Trust Council, the Trust Fund Board and the Islands Trust's 14 Local Trust Committees regarding the management of development and the preservation and protection of the Trust Area. 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. The Policy Statement is not retroactive and does not affect bylaws of local trust committees or municipalities which were in place prior to adoption of the Policy Statement.

Development of the Policy Statement

The Policy was developed over a period of two years, 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 greatly assisted Council in its 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.

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

Principles derived from the Islands Trust's legislated object and from the values, hopes and concerns for the future expressed by the public, will 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 formulate 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 many.

The Policy Statement "An Evolving Document"

The Policy Statement represents a synthesis of diverse views respecting the desired future for the Trust Area and the way it should be preserved and protected. The Policy Statement is a dynamic rather than static document that will be the focus of a continuous process of planning for the future of the Trust Area. The Policy Statement will be subject to periodic reviews and revision and will be sensitive and responsive to changing conditions and strategies to support the object of the Islands Trust.

Refinement of the Policy Statement will take place through the formal bylaw amendment process and the public will have the opportunity to express its views. The public and interested parties are encouraged to submit suggestions for development, refinement and implementation of the Policy Statement to an Islands Trust office.

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