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.

Mar 19
2024

Islands Trust Conservancy Board Meeting

Time: 10:00 am
View Details
Mar 22
2024

CAO Hiring Committee Regular Meeting

Time: 9:00 am
View Details
Mar 26
2024

Webinar: Living with Fire: a panel discussion for those living in the Salish Sea

Time: 7:00 pm
View Details

Meet Your Trustees

Judith Gedye

Judith Gedye

Bowen Island Trustee
Sue Ellen Fast

Sue Ellen Fast

Bowen Island Trustee

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.

Mature Forest Growth

49

%

on island

Parks and Woodland

20

%

protected

Population

Bowen

4,255

Trust Area

Sensitive Ecosystems

Total area:

5,053

hectares

News Bowen Island Municipality

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

Webinar: Living with Fire: a panel discussion for those living in the Salish Sea

Join Islands Trust for the ‘Living with Fire’ webinar to find out more about the current state of forest health and the interconnections between healthy watersheds, native […]

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

In September 2023, the Islands Trust Council reflected on its interpretation of the Islands Trust mandate and released a statement about its interpretation. The Islands […]

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New Conservation Area on Lasqueti Island Protects Mature Forest for Species at Risk

For immediate release Livingstone Forest Covenant on Lasqueti Island. Photo by Doug Hopwood. Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C.  ¾  The Islands Trust Conservancy’s new Livingstone Forest […]

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