Candidates Urgently Needed

In elections, those who turn up to vote, determine the outcome. Unfortunately, the last Islands Trust election gave us many trustees who are more interested in increasing density than being conscious of their mandate of protecting the islands from over-development. In other words, development is being prioritized over the Islands Trust provincial mandate to “… preserve and protect the Trust Area and its unique amenities and natural environment…”. Among the trustees are a continuous bylaw violator and another, who is a strong opponent of the Islands Trust. We can do better only if some of you step up and run.

This October, the thirteen Trust islands will each again elect two trustees. Unless those elected are dedicated to protecting these islands, the Trust will continue down the destructive path of the past 4 years. A few examples of straying from their mandate to preserve and protect are:

• The entire Trust Council approved a statement that “unique amenities” protected by the Trust Act are “broad-ranging and may include issues such as, but not limited to, housing, livelihoods, infrastructure and tourism.” No consideration was given to guidance published in 1986 defining unique amenities as including natural features, tree cover, heritage sites, scenic beauty, tranquil rural areas, and reliance on groundwater.
• On Salt Spring, variances are routinely approved for locating septic fields closer to the ocean than the current setback of 30 metres. Once this was allowed near a stream flowing to a drinking water lake. No scientific evidence on what distance is needed to protect marine life and a safe water supply was applied. Property owners are regularly allowed to have a second residence (cottage). This is in direct violation of an Official Community Plan policy that limits density increases to affordable housing or a community amenity.
• On Galiano, the Local Trust Committee (LTC) approved rezoning a residential property to permit commercial and industrial activities, including a cidery/winery with events for over 100 people six times a year. Neighbours were concerned that a community water system (serving 37 households) already experiencing seasonal water restrictions would be impacted by water use to irrigate an orchard, clean equipment, produce the cider/wine, host large events, as well as possible pollution of their wells from chemicals used in the orchard. The LTC totally disregarded these concerns as well as noise and traffic issues and failed to make any provisions to address them.
• On North Pender, a variance was approved, for a house much larger than allowed, despite staff recommendations to the contrary. Trustees issued the variance, on the owners’ assurance that they would provide the community benefit of not further subdividing the property. However, to date, no proposals to rezone the property have been proposed, meaning the property can still be subdivided.
• Mayne Island has allowed “flexible zoning”, a zoning strategy that will allow greater density (more households) in some areas. This was done without considering water supply limits.
• Flexible zoning also appears in the Gabriola draft Official Community Plan (OCP) and this zoning strategy could also appear in the new OCP for Salt Spring Island.

We (Friends of the Gulf Islands Society) don’t have the capacity to go to court to hold the Trust accountable to follow its own policies and the Trust Act. The only real protection for the environment is having trustees who follow the science and have the confidence to say “no” when fellow islanders propose inappropriate development.

Being a Trustee takes a lot of time, doesn’t pay well and, may subject one to criticism. But the islands won’t be protected unless someone makes the sacrifice for the greater good.

If we fail to act, future generations will not experience these islands as we have been privileged to do. People do not miss what they never knew, and we have already lost so much. The natural environment cannot speak for itself. This task lies with us.

If no one “turns up” we and nature will lose.

If you have the courage and commitment, please consider running for Trustee, or, if you know someone who might be interested, ask them to run. We at Friends of the Gulf Islands can provide information and support. Your voice to “… preserve and protect …” can make a positive difference to the future of our provincially protected islands.

Note the following timeline for Trustee candidates:

September 1 to 11 – Time period to register with Elections BC to be a candidate for a local election.

September 16 – Start of official campaign period.

October 17 – General Voting Day.

We can do better only if some of you step up and run.