Island Coastal Economic Trust

06/10/2026

⚡ New funding opportunity now open for First Nations communities

Our friends at New Relationship Trust are now accepting applications for its Community Energy Diesel Reduction Program.

This funding supports First Nations in advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that reduce reliance on diesel, lower energy costs, and strengthen long-term community resilience.

Programs like this help communities build local capacity while supporting sustainable economic development and energy sovereignty.

We encourage eligible communities to learn more and apply.

👇 See the New Relationship Trust post for details.

Applications are now open for the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) Program, supporting eligible First Nations and remote communities in advancing cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.

Funding is available through three streams:

- Renewable Energy Generation (REG)
Develop renewable energy projects that reduce diesel use.
Application deadline: July 20, 2026

- Community Energy Planning (CEP)
Create a roadmap for your community's energy future.

- Demand-Side Management (DSM)
Improve energy efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption.

CEP and DSM application deadline: November 27, 2026, or until funds are exhausted

In preparation for the upcoming Intake 5 opening, CEDR will be holding 2 webinars:

- June 15, 2026, from 11am to 12pm future applicants will be walked through on how to apply using our Salesforce portal and how to create an account.

- July 8, 2026, from 11am to 12pm, participants can learn more about our CEDR program.

Please use this link to sign up for our webinars:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=LJs-eFLJiEum7feppoV3TNh_oBq2SXNLjWPIER0wCC5UMUNET0hIRVhKM0lJMjVZNVFGVUpFVU1VUi4u&route=shorturl

🔗 Learn more and apply today: https://newrelationshiptrust.ca/community-energy-diesel-reduction-cedr/

06/01/2026

One year in, ReSurf is proving that sustainability and economic development can go hand in hand! ♻️🌊

A recent story in Ha-Shilth-Sa highlights how the Ucluelet-based initiative has already diverted more than 1,200 wetsuits from landfill, giving used surf gear a second life through repair, recycling, and innovation.

The Trust is proud to support ReSurf through our Capital and Innovation Program. What began as a creative solution to a waste challenge is helping build a circular economy on the West Coast—creating local jobs, supporting skills development, and opening new opportunities in the growing surf and outdoor recreation sector.

Congratulations to the Surfrider Foundation team on an impressive first year. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this innovative project in coastal communities!

05/29/2026

📬 The latest edition of News from the Coast is here!

May’s newsletter features stories from across coastal B.C., including:
✈️ The expansion of the Salt Spring Island air facility to support local businesses and strengthen regional connectivity
🦪 The continued growth of The Dock+ food hub in Port Alberni
🌲 Indigenous-led innovation and economic diversification on the North Island
🤝 Highlights from recent events and partnerships across the region

Make sure to subscribe to stay in the loop on all things coastal economic development!

📖 Read the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/3032143236af/stories-from-the-coast-june-17480458

05/28/2026

Last week, Trust staff were honoured to join Minister Josie Osborne, MP Gord Johns, and other community leaders at the celebration of expansion of The Dock+ food hub in Port Alberni!

The Dock+ has become a powerful example of how strategic investment in shared infrastructure can help grow local businesses, strengthen regional supply chains, and create new economic opportunities in coastal communities.

The Trust was proud to invest in the initial development of The Dock+ in 2019, helping the space into a thriving hub for food innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s exciting to see that early investment continue to generate momentum — supporting business growth, job creation, and greater economic prosperity in Port Alberni and the surrounding region.

Congratulations to the Port Alberni Port Authority and all partners involved in this next chapter for The Dock+!

📖 To learn more about The Dock+ and its growth over time, read our new blog post: https://islandcoastaltrust.ca/stories/from-investment-to-impact-the-growth-of-the-dock/

05/21/2026

An upcoming expansion of the air facility in Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island is set to improve access, support local businesses, and strengthen vital transportation links for the community.

Reliable regional transportation infrastructure plays an important role in supporting island economies, helping residents, visitors, and businesses stay connected while improving access to services and opportunities.

The Trust is proud to support this project, investing in infrastructure that helps coastal communities build resilience, attract economic activity, and support long-term growth.

The Trust contributed $200,000 toward the project through our Capital and Innovation Program as part of a broader $1.2 million investment.

👏 Congratulations to the Harbour Authority of Salt Spring Island and project partners on this important milestone.

05/19/2026

Last week, the Trust was proud to attend British Columbia Economic Development Association - BCEDA's 2026 BC Economic Summit in Penticton — an inspiring few days of conversations, collaboration, and ideas focused on the future of economic development across British Columbia.

We were especially pleased to host the Vancouver Island/Coast Regional Economic Development Priorities Roundtable, bringing together leaders from across the region to discuss shared opportunities, challenges, and priorities shaping coastal communities.

Our CEO, Brodie Guy, also had the opportunity to host a special Fireside Chat with Steve Morissette, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, exploring the critical role rural and remote communities play in shaping B.C.’s economic future.

And congratulations to all recipients of the 2026 BC Economic Development Awards! 👏

We were especially excited to see recognition for:
🌊 ReSurf in Ucluelet, for its innovative work advancing the circular economy on the West Coast
🏆 Pat Deakin, Economic Development Manager with Port Alberni, who received the 2026 Chair’s Award for his outstanding contributions to economic development in B.C.

It was an honour to connect with so many passionate leaders and organizations working to strengthen communities across the province. Thank you all who attended and to BCEDA for hosting another excellent conference!

05/04/2026

A recent feature in The Tyee highlights the incredible work of Forest For Dinner, a Port Alberni-based business transforming wild-foraged plants and mushrooms into value-added products sold across B.C. From spruce tip jelly to mushroom powders, the company is helping redefine what coastal forests can provide beyond timber.

Forest for Dinner is also part of The Dock+, a shared regional food hub in Port Alberni that gives food entrepreneurs access to processing space, equipment, and local supply chain support—helping businesses grow, innovate, and scale sustainably.

The Trust was proud to invest $300,000 in 2019 through our Capital & Innovation program to help establish The Dock+, supporting infrastructure that keeps value local, strengthens regional food production, and creates new economic opportunities in coastal communities.

Projects like this show how innovation in the food sector can support economic diversification, local jobs, and more resilient coastal economies.

04/30/2026

We’re grateful to have attended this year’s Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Annual Convention in Victoria this past weekend, and for the many meaningful conversations and connections shared throughout the event. 🤝

A highlight for the Trust was our session, Fostering Collaborative Governance — Modernizing Island Coastal Economic Trust to Build Systems for Prosperity, where we had the opportunity to share the latest on our ongoing co-governance journey with First Nations.

The discussion explored how collaborative, trust-based partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments can help move us from consultation to collaboration — supporting shared priorities, stronger investments, and more resilient coastal communities.

Thank you to our incredible panelists for helping lead this important conversation:
🎙️Brodie Guy - CEO, Island Coastal Economic Trust
🎙️ Bob Chamberlin - Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and Trust Board Director
🎙️ Michelle Staples - Mayor of Duncan and Trust Board Chair
🎙️ Ashley Wright - K’ómoks First Nation and Trust Indigenous Advisor
🎙️ Timothy Lesiuk - Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth

And thank you to everyone who joined us, shared perspectives, and contributed to the dialogue! We’re encouraged by the momentum and partnerships continuing to grow across the coast.

04/29/2026

The arrival of the first cruise ship of the season in Nanaimo marks an exciting moment for local tourism and the broader regional economy. With thousands of visitors expected to come ashore this year, cruise tourism continues to play an important role in supporting downtown businesses, attractions, and service providers across the Harbour City.

As highlighted in recent coverage, even a single ship visit brings meaningful economic activity—creating opportunities for local operators and showcasing Vancouver Island to visitors from around the world.

The Trust is proud to have supported the development of the Nanaimo cruise terminal infrastructure with Port of Nanaimo in 2014, helping enable this important gateway for tourism and economic diversification on the coast.

👏 We’re pleased to see the continued return of cruise activity and the benefits it brings to the region.

04/23/2026

We’re can't wait to see everyone at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Annual Convention starting tomorrow in Victoria!

And we invite you to be a part of an important conversation:

Session: Fostering Collaborative Governance — Modernizing Island Coastal Economic Trust to Build Systems for Prosperity
📅 Friday, April 24 | 4:30 PM
📍 Victoria Conference Centre

Now more than ever, collaborative, trust-based partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments are essential to building long-term prosperity on the coast. This session will explore how co-governance can move us from consultation to collaboration—supporting shared priorities, stronger investments, and more resilient communities.

We’re honoured to be joined by a panel of leaders helping shape this work:
🎙️ Bob Chamberlin, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation citizen and Trust Board Director
🎙️ Michelle Staples, Mayor of Duncan and Chair of the Trust
🎙️ Ashley Wright, K’ómoks First Nation member and Strategic Indigenous Governance Advisor to the Trust
🎙️ Timothy Lesiuk, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth

If you’re attending AVICC, we’d be glad to have you join us! 🤝