This year will be a busy year for local governance. The updates of our Trust Policy Statement (TPS) and Official Community Plan (OCP) will continue. In November, elections for our Island Trustees (Islands Trust) and Local Community Commissioners (CRD) will be held.
We encourage you to attend the upcoming Islands Trust meeting for the Trust Policy Statement (TPS) on January 13th 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Harbour House Hotel.
Please also write to the Islands Trust at islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca about issues of concern as indicated below.
Important: cc your email to Christine Boyle, Minister of Municipal Affairs, HMA.Minister@gov.bc.ca and
Rob Botterell, MLA Rob.Botterell.MLA@leg.bc.ca
The Trust Policy Statement is the key Trust-wide document that sets minimum criteria for Bylaws and Official Community Plans to be passed by Local Trust Committees.
If trustees do not strengthen the TPS, we will request the Minister to deny approval of the new TPS. To accomplish that, we will need to show public opposition to the current draft. You can help us do that by expressing your concerns about the language and direction of the draft TPS.
Items in the TPS Draft to be Addressed
We are concerned that the language of the draft for the new TPS is considerably weaker than the current TPS and must be strengthened.
“Environment” should be defined as referring to the natural environment. Although used throughout the document, this word is not defined in the glossary. A previous definition, which was removed after objections, included man-made structures.
The current TPS draft identifies only a limited number of ecosystems to protect. Wetlands, riparian areas, all types of marine ecosystems and forests, and all natural ecosystems should be protected against further degradation and adverse impacts of development.
Directives outlined in the draft are policies that are supposed to be mandatory. However, the introduction to the draft TPS states that Executive Committee can approve exceptions if “adequate justification” is given. Unless Directives are mandatory, the document is little more than advice that islands can disregard.
A Directive is needed to assure that rezoning for more density for affordable housing will always include binding agreements to assure affordability.
The TPS draft refers to “managing development.” This language is weak and inadequate. Protecting the islands from over-development requires limiting growth and development. Formally recognizing and respecting growth limits is essential to protecting the environment and rural character of the islands trust area.
We urge you to attend this meeting and relay your concerns to our local trustees.
Also, please write to the trust at islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca.
If you have not already done so, also fill out the TPS survey. Tips on this can be found on our website.
Please forward this webpage to anyone who might be interested in these important island issues.