Read what they are actually asking for

Their six asks, verbatim

1. That “environment” in the Islands Trust Act be clarified to mean the natural environment, excluding residential development and infrastructure.
2. That environmental protection and the preservation of ecosystems be established as the Islands Trust's primary objective.
3. That development limits be mandated for each island.
4. That development be limited to what local drinking water supplies can sustain while maintaining natural systems.
5. That each island produce a build-out report determining its maximum population capacity.
6. That decisions on intensive land and water use rely on independent scientific data, local knowledge and Indigenous knowledge.

Read the fifth again. A report for each island determining its maximum population capacity. We read that as a ceiling; inspect the exact wording and decide whether that reading is fair.

One of the Trust's first trustees signed it

“In 1974 I was elected one of two trustees for Lasqueti Island. I can state unequivocally that the intent of the original Island Trust Act was to protect the NATURAL environment of the Trust Area. Any interpretation of the Act by current government flies in the face of the original intent and the continued purpose of the Trust. This interpretation is just plain wrong.”

— A trustee elected for Lasqueti Island in 1974, commenting on the FOGI petition. He wants the Act read more narrowly; we want the institution wound up. Both of us are saying it has drifted from what it was set up to be, and he was there.

What an unmoderated wall costs

One comment on the petition reads, in full:

“The Government needs to relocate ALL residents off the Islands. Americans and non British Columbians have destroyed the Islands. Unless you can prove 4 generations you must leave. The Gulf Islands are a conclave for rich privileged educated white people.”

We do not name the commenter — a private person, and the sentiment is the story. Friends of the Gulf Islands disavowed it publicly and promptly, and deserve to be shown doing so:

“Friends of the Gulf Islands Society in no way condones or endorses the comment by “Cin” on this site. Such a comment is not accurate or helpful in encouraging everyone to preserve & protect the Trust Area.”

It is not their view and they said so. We publish it because it happened to them and could happen to us — and because the fix is not an apology afterwards. Nothing like it can be posted on any petition wall we run; it is screened before it publishes, and the signature counts either way.