Islands 2050

The Islands Trust Policy Statement shapes land use planning across the Islands Trust Area, but the current version has not been meaningfully updated since 1994. A lot has changed over the past 30 years.

In 2019, Islands Trust launched the Policy Statement Amendment Project (Islands 2050) to update the Islands Trust Policy Statement to adapt to current and future challenges and opportunities, and to reflect its commitments related to Reconciliation, climate change, and affordable housing.

This Policy Statement Amendment Project involves engaging First Nation governments, partner agencies, and the public, who each have important roles to play in preserving and protecting this special region for current and future generations.

Watch a short video about the Islands 2050 process here.

Actions

February 2024: In line with Trust Council’s Reconciliation Declaration and its resolutions requesting staff to undertake further work on the Policy Statement Amendment Project , staff continue to work with other agencies and First Nations (as part of First Nations Engagement Phase 3) to receive input on the new draft of the Policy Statement. This work will continue into March.

Immediate Next Steps

April– Fall 2024  – Bylaw redrafting, revisions & Approval-in-Principle:

  • April-June 2024: Staff to bring the draft Policy Statement to Trust Programs Committee, Executive Committee and Trust Council for consideration.
  • June-Aug 2024: Staff to undertake revisions as requested by Trust Council, culminating in ‘Approval-in-Principle’ of draft by Trust Council

Fall 2024-Spring 2025 – Public Engagement & Release of “What We Heard” report

  • Local trust committees and Bowen Island Municipality to undertake public engagement
  • Trust-Wide Survey to be undertaken
  • Virtual Community Workshop to be held

Questions? Email us

Project History

Since the project started in 2019, updating the Policy Statement has involved considering and balancing many inputs, including feedback from the public.  The following outlines the major public engagement and decision (for First Nations engagement – see that section) milestones of the Islands 2050 project:

Public Engagement Phase 1

September 2019-July 2020: Public Engagement Phase 1 sought public feedback on values, concerns, and suggestions related to preserving and protecting the Trust Area over the next 30 years. There were 24 local community events across the Trust Area, including open houses, group discussions, engagement booths in communities and on ferries, and an online comment forum (see documents below for summary of what we heard). Public feedback informed preliminary policy directions for amendments to the Policy Statement.

Documents – Public Engagement Phase 1

Public Engagement Phase 2

January to March 2021: Public Engagement Phase 2 centred around the release of a Policy Directions report (see documents below) that outlined preliminary policy directions for amendments to the Policy Statement. Public feedback was received through an online survey and virtual open house (see documents below). Public feedback informed development of draft amendments to the Policy Statement.

Documents – Public Engagement Phase 2

Bylaw Drafting and Revisions – Draft 1

March-July 2021: With all information gathered, staff drafted a first draft of the news Islands Trust Policy Statement which Trust Council received and sent out for referrals and public engagement (see documents below).

Documents – Bylaw Drafting and Revisions Stage

First Referral to Agencies

August-October 2021: Agencies reviewed and commented on the draft.

Documents – Bylaw Drafting and Revisions Stage

Delegation Presentations

Public Engagement Phase 3

Trust Council's 32 Resolutions

June and September 2022:  Informed by feedback Trust Council’s passes 32 resolutions which direct staff to revise the draft Policy Statement and take steps on the project.

New 2022-2026 Trust Council

Dec 2022: Orientation Session: The newly elected Trust Council (2022-2026) began its new term in November 2022 and received an orientation session on the Policy Statement Amendment Project at its December 2022 Trust Council meeting. View the presentation slides (2160KB) (2160KB) or watch the recording (starts at 2:16).

March 2023 Project Plan Approval: Trust Council approved a project charter and received a communications plan for the project.

June 2023: Staff advised Trust Council that due to staff vacancies the project is facing delays.

First Nations Engagement

Guided by Trust Council’s 2019 Reconciliation Declaration and Action Plan, Islands Trust has and is continuing to undertake early engagement with First Nation governments in the Trust Area. This work is informed by “Truth Precedes Reconciliation” section (1.1)of the Islands Trust Object: Past, Present, and Future Discussion Paper.

First Nations Engagement Phase 1

June 2019-May 2021: All First Nations in the Trust Area are invited to engage in the Policy Statement Amendment Project, with First Nations (Cowichan Tribes, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Tla’amin First Nation and the Tseil Waututh First Nation, and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council) participating. The engagement consisted of a mix of Policy Statement specific meetings and meetings held for other purposes. Trust Council received an engagement status report in July of 2021.

Documents – First Nations Engagement Phase 1

First Nations Engagement Phase 2

September 2021-June 2022: All First Nations in the Trust Area invited to engage, with six First Nations (Cowichan Tribes, Tla’amin First Nation, K’omoks First Nation, MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nation, Lyackson First Nation, and the Snuneymuxw First Nation), the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, and the Coast Salish People of Galiano participating. In this phase, Islands Trust provided to, and received feedback on, the first draft of the Policy Statement. Trust Council received an engagement update report in June of 2022 (see documents below).

Documents – First Nations Engagement Phase 1

First Nations Engagement Phase 3

September 2023-Spring 2024: All First Nations in the Trust Area invited to engage. Phase 3 engagement is currently underway with nine First Nations (Cowichan Tribes, Lyackson First Nation, Halalt First Nation, Penelakut Tribes, K’omoks First Nation, MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nation,  Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation, shíshálh First Nation and the Snaw-naw-as First Nation).  In this phase, Islands Trust is receiving feedback on the second draft of the Policy Statement.  This input will be brought forward to Trust Council at the same time that the Trust Council receives the second draft for the first time.

First Nations Future Engagement

Fall 2025-Spring 2026: Phase 4 engagement with First Nations is planned to consist of:

  • Fall-Winter 2025: Formal referral of the Policy Statement to all First Nations in the Trust Area
  • Spring 2026: Trust Council to receive referral feedback and summary report
  • Spring-Winter 2026: Engagement with First Nations continues as needed until adoption of the bylaw

Other 2019-2022 Project Documents

Delegation Presentations

Public Legal Opinion

Project Library

  • About the Project
  • Agency Referrals Phase 1
  • Delegation Presentations
  • Discussion Paper
  • Draft New Policy Statement
  • FAQ
  • First Nations Engagement Phase 1
  • First Nations Engagement Phase 2
  • Indigenous Community Engagement
  • News Releases
  • Presentations
  • Public Correspondence
  • Trustee Input