Letter: Islands Trust exemption from Infrastructure Projects Act

Extracted text (beginning)

Bowen Denman Hornby Gabriola Galiano Gambier Lasqueti Mayne North Pender Salt Spring Saturna South Pender Thetis
200 – 1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC V8R 1H8
Telephone (250) 405 - 5151 Fax (250) 405 - 5155
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver (604) 660 - 2421
Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867
Email information@islandstrust.bc.ca
Web www.islandstrust.bc.ca
September 2 3 , 2026 File No.: 11 - 5500 - 30 - 10
Via email: INF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
The Honourable Bowinn Ma
Minister of Infrastructure
PO Box 9021 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Ma ,
Re: Request for amendment of Infrastructure Projects Act to exempt Islands Trust
I am writing on behalf of Islands Trust Council to request that the Islands Trust bodies be exempt ed
from the Infrastructure Projects Act , in recognition of the legislated mandate of the Islands Trust
and the Province’s recogn ition of the unique environmental value of the Trust Area.
The Islands Trust was established through provincial legislation with a specific object: to preserve
and protect the Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of residents of
the Trust Area and of British Columbia generally, in cooperation with municipalities, regional
districts, First Nations, other persons and organ izations, and the Government of British Columbia.
Ministry staff have confirmed that it is the Province’s intent that Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 4 of the
Infrastructure Projects Act would apply to Islands Trust bodies . It is of significant concern that
application of this legislation could result in approvals that are not consistent with the Islands Trust
Policy Statement or island official community plans. Th e islands are special places with unique
needs and characteristics that may not be adequately reflected in expedited processes .
In addition , until such time as the Islands Trust is exempted, we would welcome confirmation that:
• the Province intends for all provincial decision - makers to respect the spirit of, and rationale
of the statutory object of Islands Trust when exercising authorities under the Infrastructure
Projects Act ;
• the Infrastructure Projects Act is not intended to displace or diminish the Islands Trust
preserve and protect mandate ,
• there will be early engagement with Islands Trust Council and the applicable local trust
committee (s) or Bowen Island Municipality on projects designated as provincially
significant in the Trust Area , and
• there will be appropriate opportunities for collaboration and coordination between the
Province and Islands Trust bodies as infrastructure projects are planned and advanced in
the Trust Area.
…/2
The Honourable Bowinn Ma
September 2 3 , 2026
Page 2
Bowen Denman Hornby Gabriola Galiano Gambier Lasqueti Mayne North Pender Salt Spring Saturna South Pender Thetis
The Islands Trust Act establishes a cooperative relationship between the Province and Islands
Trust. Islands Trust has longstanding working relationships and agreements with provi

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.