Aug 30, 2018 - Islands Trust Welcomes Court Decision on Trans Mountain

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Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
News Release 
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 
information@islandstrust.bc.ca     www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
August 30, 2018 2018-08-IT 
 
Islands Trust Welcomes Court Decision on Trans Mountain 
VICTORIA – The Islands Trust welcomes today’s unanimous decision by the Federal Court of Appeal, quashing the federal 
government’s approval to build the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project.  
 
The Islands Trust is resolutely opposed to this project, believing that the increased tanker traffic it would bring to the 
Salish Sea represents an intolerable risk to the marine and island environments and communities who live and work along 
the transport corridor. 
 
“The court’s decision aligns with Islands Trust’s beliefs, touching on issues we believe are critical for our local island 
communities,” explained Islands Trust Council Chair, Peter Luckham. “First, is the need for all levels of government to 
consult with Indigenous people in a meaningful and truthful manner. We applaud those First Nations who argued so 
effectively in court. Secondly, the court recognized that the National Energy Board did not properly assess the impacts 
that increased tanker traffic would have on the sensitive marine environment of the Salish Sea, including the beloved and 
endangered southern resident orca populations.”  
 
The Islands Trust Council has been concerned with oil spill and oil tanker issues since 1979. As early as 1983, the Islands 
Trust Policy Statement included a policy to oppose increased oil tanker traffic in and adjacent to the Islands Trust Area 
waters and to support measures to reduce such traffic. 
 
An oil spill within the Trust Area could have devastating impacts on the abundant biodiversity of the region and 
significantly affect species at risk, as well harm the liveability and economic well-being of local communities. 
 
“The Islands Trust was an early and leading voice in asking for the federal government to consider the impacts of both 
marine shipping and diluted bitumen on the environment,” said Chair Luckham. “We thank those agencies and First 
Nations that argued this case in court. We were with you in spirit and are grateful for your hard work. We hope this 
decision will cause the government to rethink its position on Trans Mountain and find alternative ways to invest in 
Canada’s future.” 
 
The Islands Trust is a federation of special-purpose local government bodies representing 26,000 people living within the 
Islands Trust Area and another 10,000 non-resident property-owners. The Islands Trust is responsible for preserving and 
protecting the unique environment and amenities of the Islands Trust Area through planning and regulating land use, 
development management, ed

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