Select Standing Committee on Municipal Affairs - report on islands in the Strait of Georgia and adjacent waters

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Official Report of 
DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 
(Hansard) 
 
September 25, 1973 – Afternoon Sitting 
Select Standing Committee on Municipal Matters 
Source: https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/Hansard/30th3rd/30p_03s_730925p.htm#00255  
 
 
MR. SPEAKER: 
Your Select Standing Committee on Municipal Matters beg leave to report as follows: 
The Select Standing Committee on Municipal Matters examined the matters affecting 
islands in the Strait of Georgia and the adjacent waters. It visited and viewed the following 
islands: May 2, 3, 4, North Pender, South Pender, Saltspring, Galiano, Mayne, Saturna; July 23-
27, Bowen, Gambier, Keats, Denman, Hornby, Lasqueti, Gabriola, Kuper, Thetis. 
On July 23 the Committee experienced a most meaningful day at the UBC Resource 
Science Centre under the direction of Dr. Crawford Holling, who presented a computer 
simulation that demonstrated the relationships between speculation thrust, people's 
satisfaction, land prices, land values, environmental quality, etc. In its context, environmental 
quality was related to ease of transportation, water availability, nearness to a lake or ocean, 
slope of land, type of land, i.e., agriculture vs. rock, and the amount of open land and finally the 
diversity of tree cover. 
Public meetings were held on the islands, and the Committee was pleased and 
impressed with the interest and turnout by the local people, who expressed a vital concern 
about the future of the islands. 
It is apparent to the Committee that the islands are of extreme importance to the 
Province of British Columbia; they are fragile; their location is crucial, being between the two 
largest cities in the Province; it is felt that people are entitled to use them and enjoy them to 
the capacity which they are able to serve. 
For the purpose of this report the Gulf Islands shall mean all islands in the Strait of 
Georgia and adjacent waters. 
  

Observations 
1. These islands are different from each other and from the Mainland. However, some 
Mainland areas, especially the Sunshine Coast, because of difficult access, probably have some 
similar problems. 
2. Apart from their natural insularity, isolation and uniqueness, the islands have the 
problem of these "special interests": 
(a) Local residents, many of whom are retired, and others who have to make their living 
locally; 
(b) Large numbers of summer residents and (or) visitors; 
(c) Large landowners, usually absentee, often corporate and foreign; 
(d) A larger or "provincial" interest of the general public; 
(e) Land developers and speculators; 
(f) Tree-farm licence holders (TFL). 
3. Existing boundaries of regional districts and means of representation and 
communication to land from some regional districts are causing considerable frustration. 
(Seven regional districts each have a portion of the islands within their boundaries). 
4. A complete lack of jurisdiction by Provincial, regional or municipal bodies over Indian 
lands because of exclusiv

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