Letter to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs re: Introduction to the Islands Trust

Extracted text (beginning)

.../2 
Preserving and protecting over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea 
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 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 
1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
March 4, 2025                File No.: 08-2905-02 
 
Via email: HMA.Minister@gov.bc.ca  
 
The Honourable Ravi Kahlon 
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs 
PO BOX 9074 
STN PROV GOVT 
Victoria BC, V8W 9E2 
 
Dear Minister Kahlon:   
 
Re: Introduction to the Islands Trust 
 
On behalf of the Islands Trust Council, I would like to extend our congratulations on your re-election 
and on your appointment as Minister Housing and Municipal Affairs for the Government of British 
Columbia.  
 
As you know, the Islands Trust falls within your portfolio as a special-purpose government created 
under the Islands Trust Act to protect the unique nature and amenities of 13 major islands and more 
than 450 smaller islands and the surrounding waters in the southern Strait of Georgia and Howe 
Sound. As defined in the Act, the purpose of the Islands Trust is to “preserve and protect the Trust 
Area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the residents of the Trust Area and 
of British Columbia in cooperation with municipalities, regional districts, improvement districts, 
First Nations, other persons and organizations and the government of British Columbia.”  
 
With that context, there is significant alignment between the Islands Trust and the priorities 
identified in your mandate letter, including the need for creative solutions to provide increased 
affordable housing options in island communities. The challenge of responding to the demand for 
safe, secure, diverse and affordable housing options while upholding our preserve and protect 
mandate is at the forefront of much of the work we are doing.  
 
The unique mandate and structure of the Islands Trust in some ways makes this challenge all the 
more complex than it is for B.C.’s local governments. In November 2024, the Islands Trust Council 
wrote to your predecessor, the Honourable Anne Kang, requesting the Province initiate a review of 
mandate, governance and structure. A copy of that letter is enclosed for your reference. In summary, 
we see a pressing need for the Province to address issues related to:  
• The Islands Trust’s capacity and mandate to advance meaningful reconciliation with the 
multiple Indigenous Governing Bodies with interests across the Trust Area.  
• Whether the unique governance structure established for the Islands Trust in 1974 remains 
appropriate in today’s context.  
• Clarity of the interpretation of the legislated Object of the Islands Trust.  

Minister Kahlon 
March 4, 2025 
Page 2 

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