July 30, 2025: Islands Trust Council gives first reading to the draft Policy Statement

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Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
July 30, 2025 – for immediate release 2025-09-IT 
 
Islands Trust Council gives first reading to the draft Policy Statement 
Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – On July 29, 2025 Islands Trust Council gave first reading to the draft 
Islands Trust Policy Statement and is preparing to launch a six-month engagement period. 
"It’s important that the Islands Trust Policy Statement represents the values of island communities, 
Indigenous Governing Bodies, and the residents of British Columbia. Islands Trust Council is updating the 
Policy Statement to better address the challenges of our time such as the impacts of the changing climate 
and lack of housing options  – while advancing Reconciliation. These are topics the existing Policy 
Statement is largely silent on,” said Laura Patrick, Chair, Islands Trust Council. “This draft Policy 
Statement has been shaped by what we heard in previous rounds of engagement, and keeps the Islands 
Trust preserve and protect mandate at its core. Trust Council looks forward to receiving comments on 
these revisions over the next six months.”  
This draft of the Policy Statement reflects input from island communities, Indigenous Governing Bodies, 
local organizations, and partner agencies. It contains guiding, coordination and Reconciliation principles 
for Islands Trust Council, and provides policy direction and advice for local trust committees and Bowen 
Island Municipality to use when updating official community plans and land use regulations. The draft 
Policy Statement has five main goals:  
 
1. Advance Reconciliation 
2. Preserve and protect Indigenous cultural heritage and culturally significant areas, sites, 
and species 
3. Preserve and protect healthy and biodiverse ecosystems 
4. Foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities 
5. Foster sustainable stewardship of lands and waters 
 
Having given first reading of the bylaw, which signals it is ready for public comment, Trust Council is 
launching six months of public engagement. During this time, community members, Indigenous 
Governing Bodies, local organizations, and government partners are invited to provide feedback on the 
draft. 
 
When the public engagement period begins, feedback may be provided in several ways, as outlined on the 
Islands 2050 webpage.  
 
Feedback will be received through an online survey or via a paper version available at Islands Trust offices 
and select island libraries, via email, or phone. Members of the public may also provide feedback directly 
 
News Release 
200 - 1627 Fort Street Victoria B.C. | V8R 1H8 
Telephone 250.405.5151 | FAX: 250.405.5155 
Toll Free via Service BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421 | in B.C. 1.800.663.7867 
information@islandstrust.bc.ca | www.islandstrust.bc.ca 

 
 
to Trust Council in writing or by speaking at the September or December 2025 Trust Council meetings. 
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