Minister of Transport re: Aeronautical Navigation in the Islands Trust Area

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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 
 
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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
April 19, 2021        File No: 09-NP-3110-04-Helicopter Pad 
 
Via Email:  omar.alghabra@parl.gc.ca 
 
The Honourable Omar Alghabra, MP 
Minister of Transport 
330 Sparks Street 
Ottawa ON, K1A 0N5 
 
Dear Minister Alghabra: 
 
Re: Aeronautical navigation in the Islands Trust Area 
 
As you are aware from recent correspondence sent to you from the Chair of Trust Council, the Islands 
Trust is a unique federation of special-purpose local governments (Local Trust Committees and an Island 
Municipality) mandated through the provincial Islands Trust Act to preserve and protect the unique 
amenities and environment of the islands and water between the British Columbia Lower Mainland and 
southern Vancouver Island.  I am writing on behalf of the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee. 
 
There is significant community concern around construction and use of a privately owned helicopter 
landing pad on North Pender Island.  These concerns include but are not limited to: 
 significant noise pollution; 
 the dangers of landing and taking-off helicopters in a small rural residential community; 
 the changes it will bring to a quiet neighbourhood and the rural character of the island; 
 the distress, dangers and disturbance it causes wildlife including several protected species; and 
 the precedent it will set for the Pender Islands as a whole. 
 
The helipad is built on the Pender Island Oak Bluffs. This area is categorized as a highly sensitive 
ecosystem. Eagles, falcons, hawks and turkey vultures are just some of several protected and 
endangered species in the area. While it is possible that these species could be hurt or killed by a 
helicopter rotor, they will more likely simply abandon the island and their nests. Also of concern is the 
fact that the federally declared interim sanctuary zone (ISZ) for Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) 
is directly below the helipad.  
 
As aeronautics is the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, we are requesting your assistance. 
Specifically, I am now requesting that aeronautical navigation be better regulated in the Trust Area and 
that environmental impacts and the rural character of the community be considered. 
 
This matter is also being forwarded to the Southern Gulf Islands Forum, a network of local, provincial, 
federal and First Nations leaders for discussion. 
  

Minister Alghabra 
April 19, 2021 
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In past years, Transport Canada has recognized the special sensitivi

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