By Peter Lamb

Special to the Driftwood

The story so far . . .

The first three acts in our story described the formation of the Islands Trust in 1974 and subsequent events over the next decade as the Trust evolved and adapted to meet its “preserve and protect” mandate. In the intermission, the story of the Islands Trust Fund and its land conservation successes was told. It is now 1985 and the curtain rises with the Trust once again under provincial scrutiny.

ACT 4

Scene 1: Housekeeping measures?

While the Trust has the authority to appoint its own staff, it is the Ministry of Municipal Affairs which has the authority and budget to pay their wages and benefits.

As a result, Trust staff are considered part of the government and its bargaining unit. Not surprisingly, this creates conflicts from time to time in the management of Trust operations.

In April 1985, Socred Minister Bill Ritchie introduces Bill 30 (the Islands Trust Amendment Act) to address this matter with two short “housekeeping” amendments to bring Trust staff directly under ministry jurisdiction.

Trust Council chair Mike Humphries writes a long letter to the premier, claiming “the elected officials and the various island communities they serve see it as an unjustified interference in the management of island affairs.”

Editorials criticize the government for its proposal and trustees express anger and frustration over the lack of consultation by the minister.

The opposition is suspicious, alleging a “hidden agenda” to exert more provincial control over the Trust.

NDP critic Robin Blencoe leads a prolonged attack on the legislation and proposes a compromise, recommended by the Trust, of allowing it to fund its own operations without provincial support.

Despite the extensive and contentious debate, Bill 30 passes into law without amendment.

Scene 2: Support for the Trust

In response to continuing concerns expressed by the Trust, in May 1987, the Select Standing Committee on Economic Development, Transportation and Municipal Affairs is directed to undertake a comprehensive public review of the Islands Trust.

Socred minister Rita Johnston makes it clear that they are not considering abolishing the Trust.

The committee report is tabled six months later, recommending that the Trust become a regional district, an idea opposed by trustees, other agencies and island residents.

Coincidentally, an analysis of the Trust is undertaken by graduate students at Simon Fraser University under professor Michael M’Gonigle and completed in September, 1987.

It includes a survey of 150 residents, a questionnaire of 36 former and present trustees and interviews with 51 key individuals.

The study finds strong support for the Trust and its performance to date but expresses concern over its lack of authority to fulfill its mandate as well as underfunding and understaffing of the Trust.

The study recommends that “the Islands Trust be retained and strengthened” by granting it more authority and clarifying its jurisdiction.

Changes to the act would “reflect a commitment by the provincial government to local management by the Trust and individual islands.”

Scene 3: A major reworking of the Trust

In July 1989, Minister Johnston finally introduces Bill 78 (Islands Trust Act) with significant changes more in line with the SFU study recommendations than those contained in the Special Committee report.

The proposed new act is intended to “improve the operation of the Islands Trust, enhancing its autonomy and increasing its flexibility. It confirms the Trust’s mandate to preserve and protect the islands and strengthens its ability to do so.”

Highlights of the legislation are:

• An approved Trust Policy Statement to guide planning and development approvals

• Establishment of the Trust Fund Board

• Provision for new island municipalities on Trust Council

• Official community plans to be consistent with the Trust Policy Statement

• Trust Council to become the principal body for Trust administration and land-use policy decisions

• Establishment of an executive committee to carry out the daily business of the Trust and review local trust committee activities (the term “general trustees” to be eliminated)

• Local trust committees to comprise the two locally elected trustees plus one member of the Executive Committee.

Trustees are naturally pleased with the proposals and Trust chair Nick Gilbert declares “the new act returns all previous powers and gives us some additional ones.” The Driftwood declares the Trust “is now an autonomous governmental body.”

The NDP opposition expresses 100 per cent support for the Islands Trust and calls Bill 78 “the first real major reworking of the organization of the Trust.” While generally supportive of the proposed changes, they direct criticism toward three of the proposals:

• The provision of municipalities within the Trust area — “What you risk is . . . you start to balkanize, break down by incorporation into little municipalities.” As a less risky alternative, the concept of a local community commission is suggested.

• Ministerial approval of OCPs, island municipality bylaws that the Trust refuses, the Trust annual budget and the Trust Fund Plan — all considered inconsistent with the thrust in the new act toward greater Trust autonomy.

• Establishment of a Trust Fund “without seeding with sufficient money or land.”

With very little debate, Bill 78 is passed. The inaugural meeting of the new Islands Trust is held on April 1, 1990. In his opening remarks, chair Nick Gilbert notes that the occasion “marks the end of an era of much frustration and hopefully the agency has reached a new beginning.”

The Islands Trust enters the 1990s with a much improved legislative framework and organization structure that essentially continues today.

(To be continued in the Nov. 4 Driftwood.)

The writer has been an islander for 20 years and is a former local trustee.

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