Environment, Economy, Housing, Farming, Forestry, Transportation & More Will Be Impacted

The Islands Trust, our local government, is unilaterally giving itself new powers that will severely restrict your ability to farm, dictate the size of your home, require approval to cut a tree on your private property, eliminate future dock spaces, threaten the livelihoods of local small businesses and artisans, and so much more.

The Trust has torn up community plans built on extensive community engagement with their latest Draft Policy Statement.
As long-time residents and business owners, we deeply appreciate that the Gulf Islands are uniquely pristine, ocean environments, blessed by diverse marine wildlife and tourism attractions like the Salt Spring Saturday Farmer’s Market.

We live in harmony with our Indigenous neighbours, who have also expressed concerns about this top-down, secretive process, which lacks grassroots engagement. The draft plan, developed by Islands Trust staff, is presented as virtually a fait accompli, with little room for public engagement. We believe a new, better plan can balance environmental protection and work with Indigenous communities, while expanding our fresh water supply & affordable housing options without harming our local economy or food sources.