Happy New Year! Time is running out to comment on the DRAFT Trust Policy Statement (TPS). The deadline is February 2nd 2026. Your input in support of the natural environment and rural character of the Trust Area islands is needed.
Below is a sample letter that you can send as is, use parts of, or put into your own words. The TPS is required by the provincial Trust Act to ensure the Act’s purpose is being followed. If the DRAFT TPS is not substantially revised, we will be asking the Minister of Municipal Affairs not to approve it. Our case will be stronger if there are many letters to show that the public objects to this draft of the document.
Sample Letter to The Islands Trust Council
Copy and paste the letter below, adding your own name and address, and email to islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca. It will be more effective if you add your own wording.
Dear Trust Council,
Re: Draft Trust Policy Statement
This letter urges Trust Council to make major changes to the Draft Trust Policy Statement (TPS).
This draft TPS fails in its most important task to prioritize the preservation and protection of the natural environment and the unique amenities of the Trust islands—such as rural character. The current draft could allow inappropriate development that would, over time, erode the unique character and natural environment of these islands.
Environment – The word “environment” appears throughout the draft but is not defined. The draft TPS had previously included a definition of environment but it was subsequently removed as being too broad in scope. A definition is still needed to make clear that the intention of the Trust Object was and still is largely focused on protecting the natural environment for the benefit of all British Columbians. Without clarity on the scope of the term, it is is open to broad interpretation, potentially undermining the Act’s objective.
Growth – The draft TPS proposes to “manage” growth rather than “limit” it. The TPS needs a directive clearly directed at limiting growth. The natural environment and rural nature of the islands cannot continue if growth is not limited. The Trust was established in 1974 to protect against unrestrained growth and development.
A directive in needed that requires each island to produce a Build-out Report based on current zoning and a Growth Limits Report setting out with the level of population it can sustainably support. These reports are needed to enhance protection of limited resources such as freshwater, native ecosystems and each island’s rural character.
Enforcement of the TPS – Correct the introductory text in the draft that states that directives “should” be followed “where possible”. The TPS has advisory and directive policies. Directives are mandatory policies. However, the draft TPS is ambiguous in that while directives use the term “must”, the draft states elsewhere that directives “should” be followed “where possible”. TPS directives need to be clearly mandatory; otherwise, they in essence become advisory policies. All bylaws and Official Community Plans must be consistent with the TPS directives, as required by the Trust Act, with no exceptions.
Ecosystem Integrity – Identification of various ecosystems (forest, watershed, marine, etc.) is addressed in directives. However, the draft TPS does not include any specific direction on how they are to be protected. The directives should include requiring Development Permit Areas for that purpose.
Affordable Housing – Density increases should be only be granted for genuinely affordable and workforce housing, backed by binding housing agreements. These increases must be of a scale appropriate to each island and be contingent upon adequate sewage disposal capacity and sufficient water to serve both new and existing developments while protecting the natural environment.
Water Supply Knowledge – The TPS should include directives that require that local knowledge be considered (along with other information) when measuring the condition of island water supplies, and that importing of water and the increased occurrence of salt water intrusion into wells be monitored and reported.
Climate Change – Climate change is only briefly addressed in the draft TPS. It should be a major focus as the Trust Area is and will continue to be significantly impacted by aspects such as sea level rise and erosion, diminishing freshwater resources and wildfire risk.
Rural Character – The TPS should include stronger policies and specific mention to protect rural character as an important amenity of the Trust islands. “Rural” is mentioned in only one directive requiring the identification and protection of rural roadways.
Context – Unlike the current TPS, the draft includes little information in the introduction about the history and purpose of the Islands Trust. This information should be included as it is essential that the public understand the intention and value of the Trust Act.
Your name and address here.
Your input is needed on the adequacy of the Draft Trust Policy Statement public consultation process.
If the new TPS approved by the Trust Council does not adequately protect the natural environment and amenities of the Trust islands, we will urge that the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs not approve it. The minister will also consider how well the Trust has consulted with the public. That is why we need to know what consultation took place on each island, how well it was publicized and how adequate you felt it was.
Please help us by answering these questions about the Draft TPS consultation on your island.
More information about the survey and the draft TPS:
- If you have not yet expressed your opposition to the Draft TPS through this survey, make sure to do so before February 2, 2026. (also, check out our helpful guide to filling out the survey)
- See our summary of concerns and our detailed analysis and recommendations.
- For more information and to read the draft TPS visit the Islands 2050 Project website.
- Check our About Islands Trust page for more background on how the Trust Area is governed.
Friends warns of danger of “flexible zoning” (includes Floor Area Ratio (FAR) & cluster housing).
Our Chair, Jennifer Margison gave a delegation at the Trust Council December meeting in Victoria, objecting to a new zoning practice called flexible zoning that can increase density. In the draft TPS, there is a directive requiring Local Trust Committees to establish policies in their OCPs for “clustered small dwelling units”. We object to this practice being sanctioned in the draft Trust Policy Statement and then potentially included in Official Community Plans (OCP) and Land Use Bylaws (LUB). Our delegation was covered in the Gabriola Sounder.
This zoning would allow for many residences on lots previously zoned for one residence, provided the total floor area of all homes does not exceed a set amount. Once such zoning is established for certain properties, there is no further public input. For example, following inclusion in an island’s OCP and LUBs, islanders may find 5 houses going up next to them without prior notice. This zoning cannot require affordability, local occupancy or long-term rental and does not, by itself, limit land clearing. It could impact septic capacity and freshwater resources on surrounding properties. It will also likely increase property values and further undermine affordability. Market outcomes may dominate before impacts are understood.
Trust Council heard a chorus of similar objections from two other Friends’ board members and from members of the public calling in to the meeting. Flexible zoning, also called floor area ratio or FAR, has already been approved on Mayne Island. If you are concerned about this type of density zoning on your island, let your trustees know and raise this issue during the election in November.
For more information on Flexible Zoning, see our “Urban Strategy for the Gulf Islands” article.
Membership Renewals Due
Emails have been sent to those members who have not yet renewed. If this is you, please support us with your renewed membership by sending $15 (individual), $25 (family) to info@friendsofthegulfislands.ca or mail a cheque made out to Friends of the Gulf Islands Society to 2701 Privateers Road, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M2.
If you are a subscriber and would like to support us with a membership, please complete our membership form.