Building the Future Together
The Province of British Columbia, First Nations, and local governments are working toward a new model of governance for Island Coastal Economic Trust – one built on a shared belief that collaboration generates more opportunity than competition.
This shift reflects an abundance mindset at a critical time for our province’s future and economy. When Indigenous, local, and provincial governments share power, vision, and resources, the result is greater innovation, deeper trust, and lasting prosperity for everyone. Our Trust is a made-on-the-coast model — designed locally, centred on relationships, and aligned with modern governance principles that honour Indigenous perspectives and strengthen local decision-making.
A Defining Moment
Island Coastal Economic Trust and the communities we serve are at a pivotal juncture. First Nations, local governments, and MLAs are actively engaging with the Province to advance new enabling legislation and investment in the Trust that ensures our demonstrated impact continues well into the future.
The opportunity is clear: Provincial action in 2027 would build on everything that has been accomplished together. New legislation and investment will protect hard-won consensus while unlocking the full potential of a governance model years in the making, all while setting a national precedent for how governments can work together to build abundance and strengthen investment certainty.
Building on the historic, cross-regional consensus achieved among First Nations, local governments and the Province will sustain vital partnerships, preserve institutional capacity, strengthen confidence, and ensure Island Coastal Economic Trust can continue delivering as a community-led economic institution for generations to come.
A Regional Priority, Built Through Years of Consensus
2027
Decision on Modernization
By 2027, either new provincial legislation is enacted with a strategic investment to enable modernization OR the Trust begins to wind down operations towards dissolution in 2028. This makes this a defining moment for the future of regional development on Vancouver Island and the Coast, with key decisions ahead for the provincial government.
2026
New Legislation in Development
The Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth is actively developing new legislation, intending it to be ready for consideration in 2027.
2026
Fourth Independent Review
The fourth review – A Case for Change – provides the province with advice on new legislation and the strategic investment required by Budget 2027.
2025
First Nations Recommendations to B.C.
First Nations provide the Province with nine actionable recommendations. Local governments formally endorse the recommendations through resolutions.
2024
Indigenous-led Engagements Begin
Sa̱nala Planning conducts an Indigenous-led engagement process, laying the groundwork for formal recommendations to the Province.
2022
Formal Region-wide Resolutions
Building on an AVICC resolution, UBCM delegates from across British Columbia unanimously call on the Province to transform the Trust into a permanent, ESG-focused fund led jointly by First Nations and local governments – a clear signal of broad regional consensus.
2022
Third Independent Review
The third review calls for significant new provincial investment and articulates a renewed vision: the Trust as a true three-way partnership between First Nations, local governments, and the Province of British Columbia.
2011
First Independent Review
The first review affirms what local governments identified five years earlier – recommending the Province act to enable meaningful First Nations participation in the Trust’s governance.
2006
Start-up
Local governments identify a foundational governance gap: the existing legislation excludes First Nations from the Trust’s governance. The Trust asks the Province to explore options for inclusion.
A Shared Vision for Governance
Modernization of our Trust’s governance has been driven by an unprecedented level of collaboration among First Nations, local governments, the Province of British Columbia, and regional partners.
In June 2025, First Nations presented the Province with their Strategic Recommendations Report, which includes nine recommendations focused on meaningful First Nations inclusion at the regional decision-making level.
The recommendations were developed through a rigorous, distinction-based engagement process led by Sa̱nala Planning, an Indigenous planning firm, which held in-depth facilitated meetings with 33 First Nations governments and conducted broader outreach with 53 First Nations. Engagements were structured to respect the diversity among Nations — including Treaty, self-governing, and hereditary governance structures, as well as differences in urban proximity and organizational capacity.
The result was unanimous: all 33 engaged First Nations governments reached 100% consensus on three foundational recommendations
Regional Representation
Enable each First Nation whose territories span the Trust’s service region to appoint a representative to the Trust’s Regional Advisory Committee(s).
Board Representation
Enable at least 50% equal representation of First Nations appointees on the Board of Directors.
Permanent Capitalization
Permanently capitalize the Trust to enable First Nations, local governments, and the Province to realize effective and collaborative co-governance.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Image by Kiix̣in Tours.
Regional Consensus
Local governments across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast moved swiftly to align with First Nations. Through their Regional Advisory Committees — and through the Trust’s Board of Directors — local governments formally resolved to endorse all nine First Nations recommendations.
This cross-jurisdictional consensus marks a significant milestone: Indigenous and local governments speaking with a unified voice on the future of regional economic development—demonstrating what is possible when everyone works together toward shared goals.
Gyala'gameh Bob Chamberlin speaking to local government leaders about new legislation at AVICC 2026. Image by Island Coastal Economic Trust.
Developing New Legislation
In February 2026, the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth established a Crown-Indigenous Working Group to support the modernization of governance for B.C.’s three regional economic trusts, including Island Coastal Economic Trust.
The Working Group brings together First Nations leaders representing the Vancouver Island and coastal region:
- Bob Chamberlin — Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis First Nation
- Ashley Wright — K’ómoks First Nation
- John Jack — Huu-ay-aht First Nations
The Working Group is providing advice on amendments to enabling legislation and related regulations; revisions to governing documents, including bylaws, corporate policy, and terms of reference; and transition plans to implement any changes to legislation, regulation, or organizational policy. The First Nations Recommendations serves as a foundational resource informing this work.
Legislative Review
Alongside the modernization process, the Trust completed its legislated five-year independent review in 2025, which presents a clear case for strategic renewal at Island Coastal Economic Trust, while outlining the implications of inaction.
The resulting report, A Case for Change, provides 41 recommendations to the Province of British Columbia aimed at modernizing the Trust’s governing legislation. The report provides clarity at a pivotal time and offers a path forward as new legislation is being considered. Building on the findings of previous reviews (2011, 2016, and 2022), the committee concluded that, without timely action, the Trust faces dissolution by 2028.
The independent review committee — Doug Caul (former Deputy Minister to the Premier), Angela Wesley (Huu-ay-aht First Nations), and Merv Child (Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation), and facilitated by Katherine Palmer Gordon — provides 41 recommendations organized around three themes: effective functioning, financial sustainability, and governance.
Among its highest priorities, the report recommends:
- Advancing equal representation for First Nations on the Board and Regional Advisory Committees.
- Providing long-term provincial investment to support the Trust’s evolving mandate.
- Removing legislated funding limits to enable future growth.
Together, the recommendations provide an independent, evidence-based foundation to inform decisions that will shape the future of regional economic development in the Trust’s service area.
The Trust's leadership met with the Gwaii Trust, Sa̱nala Planning, Coast Funds, and Haida Nation in 2024 to learn from proven models of co-governance and sustainable development across coastal B.C. Photo by Sa̱nala Planning.
"When One Wins, Everyone Wins"
In 2025, Island Coastal Economic Trust renewed its identity, embracing partnership in its journey towards long-term regional prosperity and wellbeing.
“What I love about the symbolism of the paddles as part of the Trust’s renewed identity,” says Trust Chair and Mayor of the City of Duncan, Michelle Staples, “is how they speak to everyone working together in true partnership to build our regional coastal economy. It’s an expression of where we’re heading as the Trust, all paddling in the same direction, each with our own unique paddles, but with a common destination where wellbeing is strengthened for all communities.”
“It all comes down to relationships,” observes Trust Vice Chair Sayaač̓atḥ John Jack, Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. “There’s a collaborative, respectful relationship among the leadership of the Trust, and the leadership of the communities we work with, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The imagery of the paddles is a beautiful expression of that relationship.”
“Each Nation across the region is unique, just like every local government. This is such an opportunity for collaboration and to create projects that have real impacts for the communities the Trust is led by and serves. When one wins, everyone wins,” Ashley Wright, Indigenous Advisor, reflects.