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
- June 2020 – Phase 1 Public Engagement What We Heard Report.pdf
- ThoughtExchangeComments-Q1Values.pdf
- ThoughtExchangeComments-Q2ClimateChange.pdf
- In-Person Event Comments.pdf
- Open-House-Storyboards_Islands-Trust-Area.pdf
- Storyboards-BIM-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Denman-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Gabriola-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Galiano-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Gambier-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Hornby-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Lasqueti-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Mayne-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-North-Pender-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Salt-Spring-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Saturna-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-South-Pender-Regional.pdf
- Storyboards-Thetis-Regional.pdf
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
- 1-2022-06-21_Phase1-Referral-Agencies-Summary_Report.pdf
- 2021-07-29_MOTI.pdf
- 2021-08-05_Gossip Island ID.pdf
- 2021-08-30_MOTI.pdf
- 2021-08-31_SSLTC.pdf
- 2021-09-01_Spanish Hills ID.pdf
- 2021-09-07_DELTC.pdf
- 2021-09-07_GLLTC.pdf
- 2021-09-08_MIID.pdf
- 2021-09-09_GBLTC.pdf
- 2021-09-22_Scott Point WW District.pdf
- 2021-09-22_Village Point ID.pdf
- 2021-09-24_MetroVancouver.pdf
- 2021-09-24_SPLTC.pdf
- 2021-09-27_MALTC.pdf
- 2021-09-28_CowichanValleyRD.pdf
- 2021-09-28_THLTC.pdf
- 2021-10-04_LALTC.pdf
- 2021-10-08_HOLTC.pdf
- 2021-10-14_ALC.pdf
- 2021-10-15_CRD Parks Rec.pdf
- 2021-10-16_Georgina ID-R.pdf
- 2021-10-18_SD64.pdf
- 2021-10-19_Harbourview ID-R.pdf
- 2021-10-19_ITC.pdf
- 2021-10-19_MIN AFF.pdf
- 2021-10-19_SD46.pdf
- 2021-10-20_TIID.pdf
- 2021-10-21_ComoxValleyRD.pdf
- 2021-10-21_MIN Energy Mines Petroleum Resources.pdf
- 2021-10-21_NSSWD.pdf
- 2021-10-21_RDN.pdf
- 2021-10-21_SALTC.pdf
- 2021-10-22_BC Ferries.pdf
- 2021-10-22_ECC Canada.pdf
- 2021-10-22_MIN MUNI.pdf
- 2021-10-22_PIID-R.pdf
- 2021-10-28_NPLTC.pdf
- 2021-10-28_qathet.pdf
- 2021-11-18_GMLTC.pdf
- 2021-11-24_BIM.pdf
- 2021-11-30_BallenasWinchelseaLTC.pdf
Delegation Presentations
- 2017-12-06_Sketch_PolicyandRegulation_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2018-03-05_Denning_ClimateChange_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2018-03-05_Petersen_AffordableHousing_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-03_SS-Solutions_Affordable Housing_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-09-17_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_EnhancingAbilityreMandate_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-09-25_Keefer_ExcellinginObject_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-12-03_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_PolicyStatementReview_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019_03_SS-Solutions_TCPetition_Summary.pdf
- 2020-09-16_Raincoast_ForestProtectionRecommendations_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-09-16_Sketch_TrustPolicies_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-09-16_SSISolutions-and others_Islands2050ConsultationProcess__TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-12-01_Sketch_PolicyStatementEffectiveness_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-03-09_Raincoast__UpdateandPolicyStatement_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-03-09_Sketch _DraftPolicyStatement_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_Policy-Statement_TCtownhall.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Raincoast_UpdateandPolicyRequest_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Sketch_PolicyStatementDraft_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_MacLean_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_Raincoast_Update_PolicyRequest_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_Sketch_PolicyStatementRewritten_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Friends-of-the-Gulf-Islands-TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Sketch_TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Dunnison_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Eastick_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Green_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Margison_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-09-21_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
- 2023-03-07_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
Public Engagement Phase 3
February to April 2022: Engagement consultants from ISL Engineering led a third phase of public engagement through 24 local community events, a virtual information and Q&A session, a two-part interactive virtual community workshop, a number of small focus groups, and an online/paper survey. See documents below, and the Phase 3 Engagement Summary Report for more details.
Documents – Public Engagement Phase 3
- June 2022 – ISL Phase 3 Engagement Summary Report.pdf
- MODUS_2021-09-21_Phase3EngagementStrategy.pdf
- ISL_2022-01-12_Phase-3-Public-Engagement-Plan.pdf
- ISL_2022-01-12_Phase-3-Public-Engagement-Plan-Presentation.pdf
- ISL_2022-03-01-Islands2050_QandAPresentation.pdf
- FactSheet-1_About-Policy-Statement-Amendment-Project.pdf
- FactSheet-2_About-Engagement-Process.pdf
- FactSheet-3_Reconciliation.pdf
- FactSheet-4_Climate-Change.pdf
- FactSheet-5_Affordable-Housing.pdf
- FactSheet-6_Forest-Stewardship.pdf
- FactSheet-7_Docks-Desal-Seawalls.pdf
- FactSheet-8_Agriculture.pdf
- Discussion-Guide-and-Survey.pdf
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
- 2022-06-21_Phase-2-First-Nations-Engagement-Update-Report.pdf
- 2022-06_COWICHAN-TRIBES-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
- 2022-06_K’OMOKS-First-Nation-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
- 2022-06_LYACKSON-First-Nation-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
- 2022-06_MALAHAT-Nation-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
- 2022-06_TLA’AMIN-First-Nation-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
- 2022-06_WSANEC-LEADERSHIP-COUNCIL-Phase-2-Letter.pdf
- 2022-08_WSANEC-LEADERSHIP-COUNCIL-Phase-2-Comments.pdf
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
- 2017-12-06_Sketch_PolicyandRegulation_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2018-03-05_Denning_ClimateChange_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2018-03-05_Petersen_AffordableHousing_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-03_SS-Solutions_Affordable Housing_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-09-17_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_EnhancingAbilityreMandate_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-09-25_Keefer_ExcellinginObject_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019-12-03_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_PolicyStatementReview_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2019_03_SS-Solutions_TCPetition_Summary.pdf
- 2020-09-16_Raincoast_ForestProtectionRecommendations_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-09-16_Sketch_TrustPolicies_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-09-16_SSISolutions-and others_Islands2050ConsultationProcess__TCdelegation.pdf
- 2020-12-01_Sketch_PolicyStatementEffectiveness_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-03-09_Raincoast__UpdateandPolicyStatement_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-03-09_Sketch _DraftPolicyStatement_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_Policy-Statement_TCtownhall.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Raincoast_UpdateandPolicyRequest_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-06-08_Sketch_PolicyStatementDraft_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_MacLean_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_Raincoast_Update_PolicyRequest_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-09-21_Sketch_PolicyStatementRewritten_TCdelegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Friends-of-the-Gulf-Islands-TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Gulf-Islands-Alliance_TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2021-12-01_Sketch_TC-Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Dunnison_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Eastick_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Green_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Margison_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-03-08_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
- 2022-09-21_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
- 2023-03-07_Sketch_Delegation.pdf
Indigenous Community Engagement
News Releases
- 2019-09-06_Islands2050 Project Launch News Release.pdf
- 2020-07-20_Islands 2050 Phase 1 – What We Heard News Release.pdf
- 2021-01_18_Islands 2050 Phase 2 – Policy Directions Report & Survey.pdf
- 2021-02-17_Islands2050 Phase 2 – Virtual Open House News Release.pdf
- 2021-06-17_Policy Statement Amendment Project – First Reading News Release.pdf
- 2021-06-22_Thoughts from the Chair re first reading of new Policy Statement.pdf
- 2021-06-25_ July 7 Policy Statement Public Information Session News Release.pdf
- 2021-06-29_Islands 2050 Flyer Mailout to Trust Area Residents.pdf
- 2021-07_09_Postponed First Reading and More Engagement News Release.pdf
- 2021-08_20_Engagement Plan in Development News Release.pdf
- 2021-11-01_Extensive Policy Statement Engagement Planned News Release.pdf
- 2022-02-19_ISL Consultants to Deliver Phase 3 Engagement News Release.pdf
- 2022-02-25_Islands2050 Phase 3 Engagement Launch with Survey and Info Session.pdf
- 2022-03-07_Invitation to Participate in Islands 2050 Public Engagement Phase 3 Events.pdf
- 2022-07-19_Islands2050 Engagement Reports and Next Steps.pdf
Presentations
- 2020-06-16_Presentation to TPC – 2011 Task Force Report Highlights.pdf
- 2021-03-03_Presentation to Public Virtual Open House re Policy Directions.pdf
- 2021-03-09_Presentation to Trust Council Workshop Introduction.pdf
- 2021-05-03_Presentation to Trust Programs Committee on Draft 1.0.pdf
- 2021-05-12_Presentation to Regional Planning Committee on Draft 1.0..pdf
- 2021-05-25_Presentation to Islands Trust Conservancy Board on Draft 1.0..pdf
- 2021-10_Presentation – Policy Statement Amendment Project Overview.pdf
- 2022-01-12_ISL-Phase-3-Public-Engagement-Presentation.pdf
- 2022-03-01-ISL-Islands2050_QandAPresentation.pdf
- 2022-12-06_PSAP Orientation Presentation to 2022-2026 Trust Council.pdf
Public Legal Opinion
- VO_2020-10-27_Trust-Object-Interpretation-PSAP-PUBLIC_LGL_FINAL.pdf
- Islands Trust Council Statement on the Scope and Meaning of Section 3 of the Islands Trust Act
Project Library
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About the Project
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Agency Referrals Phase 1
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Delegation Presentations
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Discussion Paper
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Draft New Policy Statement
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FAQ
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First Nations Engagement Phase 1
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First Nations Engagement Phase 2
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Indigenous Community Engagement
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News Releases
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Presentations
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Public Correspondence
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Public Engagement Phase 1
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Public Engagement Phase 2
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Public Engagement Phase 3
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Public Legal Opinion
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Trustee Input