Trust Policy Statement
The Islands Trust has been reviewing its Trust Policy Statement (TPS) for many years. The TPS is a legally required document that sets policies (called Directives) with which all island bylaws (including Official Community Plans) have to be consistent. The TPS also has policies that are suggestions but not requirements. The stated reason for revising the TPS was that it is quite old (last updated in 2004) and lacks policies on climate change and reconciliation with First Nations.
The last attempt to update the TPS derailed because of opposition from supporters of strong private property rights. This was despite significant public support for a TPS with strong protections for the natural environment. This time, the current draft has been opposed largely by environmental protection advocates, but also by some concerned about the First Nations Reconciliation sections and private property rights in the draft TPS. Despite the fact that a requirement for a TPS that controls island bylaws is part of the Trust Act, there are those on Trust Council who believe that the Trust should not dictate in any way, what bylaws local islands can or cannot pass.
In January of 2024, a Trust press release stated:
“Trust Council’s view is that unique amenities are broad-ranging and may include issues such as, but not limited to, housing, livelihoods, infrastructure and tourism. However, land use planning in the Trust…”
The draft TPS reflects this interpretation. The revision has been a project for the entire 4-year term of our current trustees. Yet, Trust staff said in March 2026 that a new TPS is unlikely to be approved in this term, which ends with a Trust election in October.
The following links explain and support our position on this issue.