Salt Spring has an unusual local government setup, with several separate bodies each handling different things. If you want to build something, for example, you get a building permit from the CRD, check zoning with the Islands Trust, and arrange a water hookup with your local water system
On October 17, you will vote for one CRD Electoral Area Director, two Islands Trust Trustees, four Local Community Commission Commissioners, and three SD64 School Trustees. All the positions serve four-year terms. Here is what each one decides.
Islands Trust Trustees (vote for 2)
The Islands Trust was created by the province in 1974 to protect the Gulf Islands from over-development. The Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes more than 25 small islands such as Piers and Prevost islands, is one of 12 local trust areas plus the municipality of Bowen Island that form the 26-member Islands Trust Council.
Salt Spring’s two Trustees, along with a chairperson appointed from the Islands Trust Council Executive Committee, sit on the three-person Local Trust Committee, which decides how land can be used. This includes zoning and subdivision bylaws, development permits, regulation of soil removal and deposit, short-term vacation rental and home-based business rules and related enforcement. The Local Trust Committee oversees the development of Land Use Bylaws, which are approved by the Islands Trust Council Executive Committee, and Official Community Plans, which get approved by the Executive Committee and the Province.
Decisions here are about what can be done with land:
∙ Whether you can add a second cottage or suite on your property (zoning)
∙ Whether a property can be subdivided
∙ Where short-term vacation rentals are allowed
∙ What kinds of home-based businesses are permitted
∙ Whether soil can be removed from or dumped on a property
∙ Development permits, and enforcement of these rules
Not decided here: building permits (CRD) or water hookups (your water system).
CRD Electoral Area Director (vote for 1)
Salt Spring is one of three electoral areas in the Capital Regional District (CRD), which also includes Victoria, Sooke, Langford and other municipalities. Our Area Director represents us on the 24-member CRD Board, votes on regional budgets and bylaws, and also sits on the Local Community Commission as well as the three-member Electoral Area Committee.
Decisions here are about regional budgets and CRD services:
∙ Building permits and inspections
∙ Noise and animal control, and bylaw enforcement
∙ Emergency planning
∙ Five drinking water systems, plus the Ganges and Maliview sewer services
∙ Regional services such as regional parks, solid waste and recycling, housing, and climate action
∙ Votes on CRD budgets, which affect your property tax bill
The CRD Board has the final say on budgets and bylaws, but it has rarely overturned recommendations from Salt Spring’s local elected bodies.
Not decided here: zoning (Islands Trust) or local parks and pathways (LCC).
Local Community Commission Commissioners (vote for 4)
Voters created the Local Community Commission (LCC) through a referendum in 2022.
Its purpose is to give Salt Spring more local control over everyday CRD services previously overseen by the CRD Area Director or appointed volunteer advisory commissions. It has five members: four elected Commissioners plus our CRD Area Director.
Decisions here are about everyday island services:
∙ Parks and recreation, including SIMS, Rainbow Recreation Centre, Portlock Park, and Mouat Park
∙ Pathways and community transit
∙ Fernwood Dock and street lighting
∙ Grants-in-aid to community groups
∙ Funding for ArtSpring and the Arts Council, the public library, and Salt Spring Search and Rescue
∙ Economic development, liquid waste, and livestock compensation
The LCC also speaks up for the Salt Spring community.
Not decided here: zoning (Islands Trust). CRD Board approval is still needed for the LCC’s bylaws and budgets.
SD64 School Trustees (vote for 3)
Salt Spring elects three of the seven trustees on the SD64 Gulf Islands School District board. The district runs eight schools across Salt Spring, Pender, Galiano, Mayne and Saturna, plus the online school 64GO. On Salt Spring, those are Fernwood Elementary, Salt Spring Elementary, Fulford Community Elementary and Gulf Islands Secondary.
Decisions here are about public education across the district:
∙ The district’s annual budget
∙ District-wide policies that apply to all schools
∙ Hiring and overseeing the superintendent
∙ Strategic direction for the district’s eight schools and online school
∙ Advocating to the Province for public education
Not decided here: provincial curriculum, or day-to-day school operations.
Not on the October 17 ballot, but good to know:
North Salt Spring Waterworks is the island’s largest water system and is run by an independent board. It handles:
∙ Drinking water supply
∙ New water connections
∙ Water rates
Its five-member board serves three-year terms. The last election was in May 2026.
Salt Spring Fire Improvement District runs Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue through an independent board. It handles:
∙ Fire suppression and emergency response
∙ The FireSmart prevention program
∙ Open burning and campfire permits
∙ Backyard burning restrictions
Its seven-member board serves three-year terms. The last election was in April 2026.