Thank you for signing our petition asking the Islands Trust to prioritize protecting the environment, especially in the new draft Trust Policy Statement (TPS), the document that controls what bylaws can be passed on each island. 

The petition now has over 1,732 signatures.  Our elected officials (trustees) have released a flawed draft TPS. We are sponsoring a letter writing campaign asking for this document to have strong enforceable protections for the natural environmental and restrictions on growth.

If they do not amend the TPS, we will ask the Minister of Municipal Affairs not to sign it and send it back for revisions.  For the minister to do this, we need to show the current version does not have public support.  

It would help us greatly if you could send even a brief email to the Islands Trust before February 2, 2026, asking for the TPS to be strengthened.  Below are points to make.  Or you can copy this sample letter.

Please send your email to these addresses:

Islands Trust – islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca

Minister of Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle - HMA.Minister@gov.bc.ca

Member of the Legislature Rob Botterell  - Rob.Botterell.MLA@leg.bc.ca

The Draft Trust Policy Statement does not adequately protect the natural environment of the Trust Islands and must be amended.  The Trust Policy Statement must:

·      Contain directives that require each island to limit development to that which will protect the natural environment and can be supplied with island drinking water while providing adequate water for natural systems

·      Affirm that the legislated Object of the Islands Trust Act requires protection of the natural environment and does not include residential development and infrastructure;

·      Affirm that the Islands Trust’s top priority is protection/preservation of the islands’ land and marine ecosystems, unique amenities that include rural character;

·      Require each island to produce a build-out report that determines its maximum population if all existing lots are developed and subdivided;

·      Require that decisions allowing more intensive use of land and water be guided by independent, up-to-date scientific data, local knowledge and traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices.

Thank you for your help.  We need you to join us in being a strong voice for the preservation and protection of the natural environment and rural character of the Trust Area islands.

Friends of the Gulf Islands Society