Gambier Island Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Targeted Review

Posted on September 29, 2022

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.