Soon our communities’ attention will be directed towards November’s Islands Trust elections. On our islands we usually have some difficulty in finding candidates because of the reluctance to get involved in the Islands Trust organization and the ever-increasing politics of land use.
I understand that being in public office is not the most pleasant of endeavours, but it is important. The Islands Trust over the last 40+ years, has been given the singular mandate to “preserve and protect’ our islands’ environment, ecology, and rural character, and yet in many property owner’s views, it has failed.
It’s history of weak leadership, lack of vision, and exaggerated bureaucracy, has appeared to put the emphasis on preserving and protecting the organization rather than our islands. A growing staff level, an ever increasing budget, a reactive rather than a proactive planning strategy, an expansion of involvement in issues outside of it’s mandate, and a centralization of decision making to the Executive, have undermined Trust Council’s focus of fulfilling the original object of the mandate.
Many decisions and actions have frustrated those who support the Trust and those who are opposed to it. Yet year after year, Council seems unable to make any significant changes to the status quo. Instead, they have become defensive and refuse to listen to bona fide complaints or constructive criticism. Our islands and communities are at a crossroad, and this coming election will determine which direction the Islands Trust will follow, for good or ill.
We are facing an onslaught of development which is contrary to our rural character. Our economies are gearing towards serving tourists instead of our local community. Our cost of living is rising and making housing a critical issue (particularly for those earning minimum wages in the tourist industry). In short, we are becoming, not the unique area envisioned by the mandate, but the same as any other growing municipality in the country.
There are obstacles to changing the direction of the Islands Trust and some will suggest that it is too late. I’m hoping it is not the popular conviction. I’m hoping there are ways, beginning with finding candidates committed to the essence and vision of the mandate, who will stand up to management and staff, and do what is good for the islands, not for special or personal interests. It is the mandate that we should support, not the organizational structure.
Please consider signing the petition on Change.org to request the Minister of Municipal Affairs, to initiate a legislative review of the organizational structure of the Islands Trust regarding its efficiency and effectiveness in administering the mandate through land use. It’s our tax dollars; let’s ensure we are getting what we pay for.
Steve Wright
My relationship with Thetis is only that our islands are within the Trust Area and I’m trying to reach all the islands to initiate a discussion and a review of the Trust to determine how to strengthen the mandate and our ability to manage our land use more effectively and efficiently.
I served 10 yrs in the Trust and as a member of the executive, and have visited Thetis several times.