The Gambier LTC has decided to reschedule their March 26, 2024 Regular Meeting to April 29, 2024 at 1:00 PM. The April 29 meeting will also be held Electronically rather than in person at the John Braithwaite Community Centre. Please see the updated meeting schedule for a complete list of 2024 meeting dates and visit the April 29 meeting event page for links to attend the meeting using zoom or to watch the live stream.
Category: Gambier LTA
The Gambier Island Local Trust Committee 2024 business meeting schedule has been UPDATED.
To review the agendas, minutes and recordings of any Gambier Island Local Trust Committee meeting or see details of how to join electronic meetings, visit our meeting calendar.
Please be advised that the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee will be considering first reading of draft Bylaw No. 158 cited as “Keats Island Land use Bylaw, 2002, Amendment No. 1, 2023. A copy of the notice and the draft bylaw can be found here.
What is the goal of the Shoreline Protection Project?
The project was initiated based on concerns about increased dock development and shoreline hardening (i.e., sea walls) in the sensitive foreshore and marine area. The project aims to amend both the Keats Island Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) with the objective of providing better protection for the foreshore, near shore, and marine areas of Keats Island. To view the proposed bylaws, related staff reports, and other information, including correspondence, please see the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee Projects page under the ‘Keats Island Shoreline Protection’ section.
A version of the proposed bylaws with changes highlighted and links to various sources can be found here.
You can review Proposed Bylaw Nos. 153 and 154.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Keats Island Shoreline Protection Project can be found here.
The graph below illustrates where we are at in the process.
Have your say
Comments from community members are always welcome. Remember, if you want your thoughts to be considered by the Local Trust Committee your correspondence will become part of the public record and will appear on the Islands Trust website.
To ask questions and submit feedback:
Email: northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca
Tel: 250-247-2063
Mail: Islands Trust, 700 North Road, Gabriola, BC V0R 1X2
The online survey is now closed. Stay tuned for results at a future LTC meeting.
The Gambier Island Local Trust Committee is embarking on a review of Gambier Island’s land use policies and regulations, with a specific focus on these topic areas: forest ecosystem protection, shoreline protection, archaeological and cultural site protection, and access to public docks.
Gambier Island OCP & LUB Bylaw Targeted Review Process
The review will be undertaken in three phases:
- Phase 1 of the project is currently underway and includes development of an engagement and communications plan. A working group, comprised of members of the Gambier Island community, is established to help develop the plan and assist in community engagement events. For more information on the Working Group, see below. The plan will be used to guide engagement with the Gambier Island community during the bylaw review.
- Phase 2 will include engagement activities/events with the community, the results of which will help shape the changes to land use policy and regulation.
- Phase 3 will continue with more community engagement and refinement of proposed changes.
Project Charter
The Project Charter is available here.
First Nations Engagement
The Gambier Island Local Trust Committee seeks to engage with First Nations with treaty and territorial interests on Gambier Island’s Official Community Plan and Local Use Bylaws. Engagement will be reflective of the Trust Council adopted policy on First Nations Engagement Principles, and the foundation documents of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. Engagement processes will be guided by concerns or responses from First Nations on how to proceed in a mutually respectful and relationship building framework.
How to get involved:
Gambier Island OCP & LUB Bylaw Targeted Review Working Group
A Working Group, comprised of members of the Gambier Island community, is established to meet and work with Islands Trust planning staff to develop an engagement and communications plan for the bylaw review and to assist with future engagement activities/events. If you are interested in joining the Working Group or would like more information contact northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca.
Have your say!
Tell us what you want to see for the future of Gambier ‘Cha7lekwnech Island.
The target areas for review in the Gambier Island Official Community Plan (OCP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) are:
- Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Protection – Consideration of policies and regulatory tools to include Heritage Conservation Area(s) and agreement with First Nations as they relate to land use on Gambier Island.
- Shoreline Protection and Access to Public Docks – Consideration of policies and regulatory tools to encourage protection of shoreline ecosystems and public use of community docks. To better protect shoreline ecosystems and best practices around supporting access to public docks.
- Forest Ecosystem Protection – Consideration of policies and regulatory tools to encourage tree and forest ecosystems on public and private land. To modernize protections of forest ecosystems on public and private land.
Complete the Online Survey
The online survey is now closed.
Past Public Engagement Events
In Person Event Recording: (starts at timepoint 3:19:00)
Date: September 1, 2022
Time: 3:30 – 6:00 pm
Location: Gambier Island Community Hall (following the Regular Local Trust Committee meeting)
Virtual Event Recording:
Date: September 14th, 2022
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
For useful information on the OCP/LUB Review process go to the Gambier Island Project Page.
Public Communication and Engagement Plan
The Gambier Island OCP and LUP Targeted Review Communication and Public Engagement Plan incorporates the format and essential elements modeled after the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) best practices for public engagement. In addition, the Engagement Plan complies with statutory requirements set forth in the Local Government Act, and the Island Trust Policy Statement on open, consultative and meaningful public participation process. Take a look at the Public Engagement Framework which supports the newly developed Public Engagement Plan.
Next Steps
- Discussion papers on the targeted areas of review
- Meet with Working Committee
- Coordinate and participate in meetings with First Nations Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, s ̱ əlilw ̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nation, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band (or their alternates)
- Develop a robust overall plan, informed from input from the Working Group and First Nations, that guides the engagement and communications for phases 2 and 3
- Develop Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw policy and regulatory bylaw amendments
To learn more about this work please visit the Gambier Island Projects page or contact northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca or call 250-247-2063.
Gambier Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) adopted bylaws 148 and 149 in December 2019 that provide additional safeguards for riparian areas on Gambier Island for the protection of biodiversity and freshwater. See the updated brochure to get all the facts on developing in Riparian Areas on Gambier.