Tobi Elliott
Gabriola Trustee
Islands Trust
Gabriola is at a pivotal moment, with a chance for our community to shape two significant Islands Trust documents: an updated draft of the Policy Statement and a draft Official Community Plan (OCP) for Gabriola. These documents are interconnected; the policies in the OCP will be influenced by the updated Policy Statement, which serves as its legal framework. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us to engage in how our lands and waters are managed for the future.
Understanding the Policy Statement vs. Regional Growth Strategies
Let’s briefly compare the Islands Trust Policy Statement with the Regional Growth Strategies (RGS) used by regional districts. The Regional District model was established in 1965 for rural governance, allowing these districts to manage community planning and land use, overseeing services like building regulations, waste management, and parks. The Growth Management Act, adopted in 1995, encouraged regional districts to voluntarily develop strategies to manage growth. Ten districts, including the Regional District of Nanaimo, have adopted strategic plans for long-term planning.
In contrast, the Islands Trust was formed in 1974 with a specific mission: to preserve and protect the Trust Area, its environment and unique amenities. Unlike voluntary Regional Growth Strategies, Islands Trust is legally required to maintain a Policy Statement approved by the provincial government. This Policy Statement directs land use planning across the 13 Trust Areas, establishing essential guidelines that must be followed in all OCPs. A Local Trust Committee has all the power and authority of a regional district board for land use planning purposes. The OCP policies and bylaws which regulate land and marine activities are the toolkit through which the Object of the Trust must be upheld.
The Policy Statement as a Legal Framework
The Policy Statement acts as a legal framework for all OCPs and bylaws in the Trust Area. It primarily includes directive policies, with some advocacy policies (“should”/“must” vs. “encourage”/“may”). Directive policies are mandatory for local trust committees and island municipalities when adopting or amending local bylaws and OCPs. They are deemed integral to achieving the Islands Trust Object, yet are general enough that they can be appropriately adapted to local circumstances. A Community Plan in the Trust Area can not contain policies that are contrary to the Policy Statement.
Policy statement engagement to date
Since 2019, Trustees and staff have worked closely with island communities, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and the public to craft this new draft. The goal is to address pressing issues such as climate change, demographic shifts, and the rights and interests of First Nations—topics that were not considered in the existing Policy Statement, which hasn’t been updated since the 1990s.
In 15 meetings since May 2024, Trustees and staff carefully reviewed and updated the policies. The revised draft has recently been sent for legal review. This new draft reflects also extensive input from First Nations and stakeholders, aligning with Trust Council’s declarations on reconciliation, climate emergency, and housing equity. It aims to foster sustainable and inclusive communities while protecting ecosystems and cultural heritage.
Key themes from engagement with First Nations have included concerns regarding governance, rights and responsibilities, and and the need for ecosystem protection for cultural/spiritual/economic uses. The new draft is responsive to the input received.
Your Voice Matters
Public engagement will be crucial as we prepare for a large, Trust Area-wide consultation on the draft Policy Statement. Currently, the project is in the ‘inform’ stage, but you can write to Trust Council about the project anytime by emailing Islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca. Public correspondence is regularly posted on the Islands 2050 webpage. As we approach sharing the draft for public comment this summer, we encourage everyone to participate in this process.
Gabriolans have a unique opportunity to review both the Policy Statement and the Gabriola OCP simultaneously. Hopefully the links between these two critical documents are more clear. When you see calls for public input from Islands Trust, remember this is your chance to influence how our community thrives and the environment is protected. The surveys and focus groups you’ve participated in have laid the foundation for these important documents. Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure your voices are heard in shaping the future of Gabriola and the Trust Area. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or Trustee Yates.
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