Islands Trust

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council invites the public to participate in its next business meeting being held in Duncan at the Khowutzun Heritage Centre, 200 Cowichan Way, March 10-12, 2026. There are multiple options to attend or view the meeting, such as attend in-person, by telephone, or online. Islands Trust Council, which is comprised of the 24 local trustees and two municipal trustees, meets quarterly to make decisions about matters that apply to the entire Islands Trust Area and Islands Trust operations. Islands Trust Council receives, discusses, and makes decisions about policies, finances, and proposed work for the coming quarter. Featured Sessions Islands Trust Draft 2026/27 Budget – Islands Trust Council will review and finalize its 2026/27 budget. Islands Trust Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement Manual – Islands Trust Council will consider adopting an amended Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement policy. Islands Trust Policy Statem…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council approved a budget of $11.2 million for 2025-26. “Sensing the challenging times, staff and the Financial Planning Committee put a great deal of work into reducing the proposed budget ahead of Trust Council’s meeting. The approved budget supports ongoing work directed to the well-being of the Trust Area while minimizing the impact on taxpayers” said Islands Trust Council Chair Laura Patrick. The approved budget for 2025-26 assumes that Islands Trust will maintain existing land use planning service levels, and support various ongoing major projects and initiatives in the Islands Trust Area: Denman Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review (housing options focus)   Gabriola Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review  Gambier Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review and Implementation (heritage preservation/prote…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – The Islands Trust Council elected Laura Patrick as its new Chair today, during the first day of its March quarterly meeting, being held in Nanaimo. Laura Patrick has served the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Area since 2018 and steps into the leadership role with a commitment to advancing the Islands Trust’s preserve and protect mandate. “It is an honour to be elected as Chair of Islands Trust Council,” said Chair Patrick. “As we navigate the challenges and priorities ahead, I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow trustees to make progress on the issues that matter to islanders. The work of local trust committees, Bowen Island Municipality, and the Islands Trust Conservancy is essential in this, and I look forward to supporting continued cooperative efforts to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area.” The Chair of Islands Trust Council guides discussions at Islands Trust Council, Islands Trust Executive Committe…

Islands Trust, on behalf of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, has filed a petition in the BC Supreme Court in order to preserve the unique environment of Wise Island, an island within the Galiano Island Local Trust Area. The claim seeks remediation of a property on Wise Island where trees were cut without a permit in an area protected by a Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee’s Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area safeguards sensitive shorelines, and outlines regulations and guidelines for development. As required by the Galiano Island Official Community Plan, known as Bylaw 108, physical and ecological characteristics of shorelines in the Galiano Island Local Trust Area must be carefully managed to avoid potential negative impacts of development. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee has been addressing this breach of Bylaw 108 with the property owner since 2022 and has provided several opportunities for…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council is pleased to announce the hiring of Rueben Bronee as Islands Trust’s new Chief Administrative Officer. Bronee will replace Russ Hotsenpiller, who retired in June 2024 after more than eight years in the role. Julia Mobbs, Islands Trust’s Director of Administrative Services, has served as the Interim Chief Administrative Officer since July. “After an extensive search process via an executive search firm, I’m delighted to announce that Rueben Bronee will be joining us as our new Chief Administrative Officer,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the Islands Trust Council. “Rueben is a trusted public sector executive. He has extensive experience leading high-profile transformation initiatives and providing strategic advice. We look forward to working with him as we finalize and implement our strategic plan, and as we carry out the preserve and protect mandate of Islands Trust.” “We also wish to provide our sincerest thanks…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – At its quarterly meeting in September 2024, Islands Trust Council voted to request that the Province of British Columbia undertake a review of the Islands Trust's mandate, governance model, and structure. The Islands Trust Council made the same request in 2022. It is Islands Trust Council’s recomendation that the Province conduct a comprehensive review of the Islands Trust Act, similar in scope to the work of the parlimantary committee that led to the creation of Islands Trust 50 years ago. Islands Trust Council believes it is essential that the many Indigenous peoples with interests in the lands and waters of the Trust Area be involved through their governing bodies, not only as participants in the review, but also as partners in the development of its terms of reference. Islands Trust Council is seeking alignment with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and believes it is of paramount importance that Islands Trus…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – The Islands Trust office on Salt Spring Island will be moving to a new, conveniently-located office space this winter. Islands Trust has secured a multi-year lease for new office space in Ganges Village, Salt Spring Island at 121 McPhillips Avenue. "We are looking forward to a new office space for the public to engage with Islands Trust staff on Salt Spring Island," said Chair Peter Luckham, Chair of Islands Trust Council. "A physical location for Islands Trust on Salt Spring Island is important to being part of the largest community in the Islands Trust Area and to providing the public with convenient access to in-person assistance.” The new Islands Trust location is adjacent to the Capital Regional District location, facilitating continued cooperation. Through the fall, the new office space will be renovated to ensure it meets requirements for staff and the public. Islands Trust will continue to provide in-person services at its cur…

Local Trust Committee June Update, by Trustee Laura Patrick You have likely read news about the Trust Council meeting that was held on Salt Spring June 18- 20. Trust Council is the federated body of all 26 trustees. This report only relates to the business of the Salt Spring LTC, which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC) will hold its next regular meeting on July 11 th beginning at 9:30 AM at the Salt Spring Legion, Meaden Hall, 120 Blain Road. Our meetings are also livestreamed and archived for later viewing within a few days of the meeting. The agenda will be available on the website. Office staff are available to help should you have questions about getting to the meeting or viewing the meeting on-line. Please call 250-538-9144 or email ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca for support. We welcome you to ask questions or make comments during the “Town Hall and Questions” period at the beginning of our July…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Today, Islands Trust recognises 50 years of as a special purpose government mandated to preserve and protect over 450 Islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea. The Province of British Columbia created Islands Trust in 1974 in response to rates of development in the Gulf Islands and the need to protect the unique amenities and environment of the region. Today, Islands Trust preserves and protects the islands in the context of many complex challenges, including climate change, lack of affordable housing, freshwater limitations, hundreds of species of risk, and development and tourism pressures. Over the past five decades, Islands Trust has evolved to meet new challenges and opportunities. The organization is deeply committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. It is also working to address housing equity and climate change related challenges. Islands Trust has implemented innovative projects and policies to support sustai…