Bowen Island Municipality

Bowen Island has a special status in the Islands Trust Area as the only island municipality. It is represented on the Islands Trust Council by two municipal trustees who are also municipal councillors.

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The Islands Trust and Bowen Island Municipality enjoy a unique and positive relationship in which we share common goals for the preservation and protection of our unique island ecosystems and habitats for years to come.

Bowen Island Planning

When adopting a bylaw or issuing a permit or license, the Bowen Island Municipal Council must have regard for the preserve and protect Object (mandate) of the Islands Trust.

Bowen Island Municipality submits its Official Community Plan (OCP) bylaws to the Islands Trust Executive Committee for approval.

Bowen Island Municipality also refers non-OCP bylaws that include a reference to a matter included in the Islands Trust Policy Statement.

Bowen Island Municipality also offers Bowen Island mapping layers through its own open data portal.

Official Community Plan Amendment Process

Initial Staff Report

Early consultation with First Nations and stakeholders

1st Reading

Referral to Islands Trust Executive Committee (under Letter Patent)

Referral to First Nations and agencies

2nd Reading

Public Hearing*

3rd Reading

Referral to the Islands Trust Executive Committee for approval

Consideration of Adoption

* Public Hearing can occur anywhere between 1st and 3rd readings.

Land Use Bylaw Amendment Process

For bylaws that include a reference to a matter included in the Islands Trust Policy Statement:

Initial staff report to Bowen Island Municipality with draft bylaw recommendations

1st Reading

Referral to the Islands Trust Executive Committee (under Letters Patent)

Referral to First Nations and agencies

2nd Reading

Public Hearing (could be waived)*

3rd Reading

Consideration of Adoption

* Public Hearing can occur anywhere between 1st and 3rd readings.

Meetings and Events Around: Bowen

Learn about upcoming Islands Trust meetings and events as they may relate to Bowen Island Municipality.

Find out more about how you can share your views with us.

August 12 2026 Chief Administrative Officer Performance Evaluation Committee Region: Islands Trust Area Time: 1:00 pm Read More

August 19 2026 Financial Planning Committee Regular Meeting Region: Islands Trust Area Time: 10:00 am Read More

August 20 2026 Candidate Information Session for the October 17 Elections Region: Islands Trust Area Time: 6:00 pm Read More

Meeting Calendar

News Bowen Island Municipality

Find out what's happening in and around Bowen Island Municipality

Local Government Elections

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Honouring National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day

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Species at Risk: Great Blue Heron fannini subspecies

SARA Species of Special Concern Life stage and activities observable in the fall: adults fishing and hunting at the edges of the ocean, lakes and […]

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Species at Risk: Western Screech-Owl

SARA Threatened Species Life stages observable in the winter: adult pairs courting in advance of breeding season What’s that sound? It’s the Western Screech-Owl’s courtship […]

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Species at Risk: Little Brown Myotis

SARA Endangered Species Life stage and activities observable in the summer: adults in flight at dusk using sonar to catch flying insects As dusk settles […]

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Species at Risk: Northern Red-legged Frog

SARA Species of Special Concern Life stage observable in the spring: egg-masses and tadpoles developing in ponds The Northern Red-legged Frog, not to be mistaken […]

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Islands Trust Council Statement on the Scope and Meaning of Section 3 of the Islands Trust Act (Object Clause)

On May 6, 2025, Islands Trust Council met in Committee of the Whole, to discuss the Statement on the Scope and Meaning of Section 3 […]

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Meet Your Trustees

Judith Gedye

Bowen Island Trustee

E: E-Mail Municipal Trustee Gedye

T: 1-604-947-4255

Sue Ellen Fast

Bowen Island Trustee

E: E-Mail Municipal Trustee Fast

Island Profile

Bowen Island is one of 13 local trust areas and island municipalities that make up the Islands Trust Area. Located in Howe Sound just a twenty-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, it includes Bowen and Hutt islands.

About Conservancy

Mature Forest Growth

59.3

on island

Protected Areas

14.5

Population

Bowen

4,255

Trust Area

Sensitive Ecosystems

19.7

protected

Bowen