Object of the Trust Act

The Islands Trust Act established an object or mandate under which land use decisions should be made:

“The object of the trust is to preserve and protect the trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the residents of the trust area and of British Columbia generally, in cooperation with municipalities, regional districts, improvement districts, First Nations, other persons and organizations and the government of British Columbia.”

The Islands Trust is unique, and there are no other local or regional decision-making bodies like it elsewhere in Canada. It remains a singular accomplishment in our country as a government charged with the stewardship of a fragile environment and the preservation of a special, rural quality of life.

Though a half-century old, the Islands Trust however continues to struggle with opposition to its mandate, both from elected trustees and from some factions of the public. Increased populations, escalating development pressures, and climate concerns all present a worrying future for the Trust Area—one that the Friends of the Gulf islands Society is working to address.