October 2025 Forum Review
On a mild and bright October 3rd, 2025, elected officials, staff and observers from across the region enjoyed the short ferry crossing to Snug Cove to gather at the new Community Centre on Bowen Island for the Howe Sound Community Forum. In all, 52 people attended the event hosted by the Bowen Island Municipality. It was unfortunate that several unexpected and conflicting circumstances made it challenging for more to attend. This included members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw who were honouring Találsamkin-t Siyám Chief Bill Williams, who passed away on September 28th. Please see tributes from the Howe Sound Community Forum members to Chief Bill Williams, a signatory to the first Principles for Cooperation at the formation of the Howe Sound Community Forum in 2002.
Volunteer drivers met the ferry and water taxi passengers, taking them to the new Community Centre, which is also the new home of the Bowen Municipal Hall. Mayor Andrew Leonard welcomed everyone to Nex̱wlélex̱wm / Bowen Island and provided an overview of the current news related to governing the island municipality. The Community Centre cost $18.7 million to construct and provides the community with a long-awaited state-of-the-art theatre—where the Forum took place. Bowen Island local turned filmmaker Bob Turner’s film Howe Sound Ballet was enjoyed on the big screen to start us off. Bowen Island Municipality is currently working on an update to its Official Community Plan (OCP), modernizing the format through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Island Trust Chair Laura Patrick travelled from Vancouver Island to give an overview of the Islands Trust Policy Statement process, Islands 2050. The Islands Preserve and Protect mandate is in the interest of all British Columbians, and has not been updated since the 1990s. Everyone is encouraged to read the statement and share their thoughts.
Representatives from the municipalities of Whistler, Squamish, West Vancouver, Gibsons, Bowen Island, and Lions Bay, plus the regional areas of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, Squamish Lillooet Regional District, and the Gambier Island Local Trust Area, gave updates on actions and issues in their communities. Many are working on updating their Official Community Plans. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has just concluded its elections, and 16 council members will be sworn in. The Forum looks forward to welcoming new council members at future gatherings.
The Snug, a local cafe in Snug Cove, catered the lunch. Despite many elected officials having seen each other at the UBCM conference the previous week, and it being a hectic time for them, there was no shortage of stimulating and valued dialogue; the Forum always provides an informal opportunity to connect.
After lunch, MLA for West Vancouver/Sea-to-Sky Jeremy Valeriote and MP Patrick Weiler shared news and updates. After community updates, including the Ocean Watch Action Committee report, the group moved into self-organized discussion groups. Some discussed upcoming changes to the Glass Sponge Reef/Rockfish Conservation areas in Howe Sound, and some brought forward questions to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw staff member about the Land Use agreement, while others took time for continued networking opportunities.
The forum ended in time for the 3:15 pm return ferry to Horseshoe Bay.
Participants are encouraged to provide feedback to help us continue to make these forums worthwhile.
