The first public engagement event for the Islands Trust’s Policy Statement revision project has a time and date — and it’s going to be online.
Trustees and staff hope that a virtual town hall set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 will give them a chance to explain what’s new in the draft Policy Statement, how it came to be and how the document will eventually guide land use planning in every Local Trust Area.
In addition, attendees will be able to ask questions and share comments in a dedicated “Q&A” session, with pre-submitted questions being addressed first.
“The multi-year process to amend the Policy Statement marks the first comprehensive update in over 25 years,” read the broadly distributed invitation to the town hall, “and we want to know — have we got it right?”
The draft Policy Statement can be read online at islandstrust.bc.ca/programs/islands-2050. The document has not seen meaningful revision in three decades, with the current iteration described as an attempt to address shortfalls in the document — such as addressing the climate crisis, growing housing needs and a commitment to reconciliation with local First Nations.
A pair of staff-led in-person community information meetings will take place in October at Salt Spring Island’s All Saints-by-the-Sea from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 and at Fulford Hall from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22; other islands will hold in-person events in September, October and November.
Registration is required to attend the virtual town hall; visit islandstrust.bc.ca/event/islands-trust-draft-policy-statement-town-hall. Questions can be sent to islands2050@islandstrust.bc.ca before Friday, Sept. 5 to be among the first asked at the event.