In an era of increasing global uncertainty—where disruptions from climate extremes, economic shocks, and political instability are becoming more frequent—our ability to rely on local, regional, and regenerative economies has never been more critical. Cross-border tensions, shifting trade policies, and fragile supply chains reinforce what we’ve long known: resilient communities are built from the ground up.
For 30 years, Ecotrust Canada has been working alongside rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to develop place-based economies that amplify the power of people in place. Economies that provide for a healthy and resilient natural environment; sustainable and abundant energy, food, and housing; prosperous and meaningful livelihoods; vibrant cultures and inclusive societies.
Read about how our five programs—Community Fisheries, Climate Resilience, Food Systems, Indigenous Homelands, and Community Energy—are tackling challenges head-on this year.
Community Fisheries
British Columbia’s fishing licensing and quota system overwhelmingly benefits large processing companies and investors, who control most of the harvesting licences in our waters. This forces many independent fishers to lease licences from processors, limiting their control over where their catch is sold. As a result, despite BC’s rich coastal waters, 90% of our seafood is exported, while 80% of what we eat is imported. That means Canadian fishers harvest high-quality seafood, but most of it never reaches Canadian tables.
British Columbia’s fishing licensing and quota system overwhelmingly benefits large processing companies and investors, who control most of the harvesting licences in our waters. This forces many independent fishers to lease licences from processors, limiting their control over where their catch is sold. As a result, despite BC’s rich coastal waters, 90% of our seafood is exported, while 80% of what we eat is imported. That means Canadian fishers harvest high-quality seafood, but most of it never reaches Canadian tables.
We’ve been working closely with our partners in the Fisheries for Communities network to ensure that independent fishers’ voices are heard as Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reviews licensing policies for the Pacific Coast. DFO has been hosting workshops in British Columbia as the federal government considers potential changes that could shape the future of our fisheries.
DFO’s engagement process is exploring whether a made-in-BC “Owner-Operator” and “fleet separation” could work on the Pacific Coast—policies that support fishers to own and control their licences, rather than corporate interests. Many fishermen have been pushing for these changes for decades; they are key to rebuilding a fair and sustainable seafood economy. Read more about this issue in The Vancouver Sun, where Rick Williams, our Fisheries Policy Advisor, is interviewed about what’s at stake.
For our boots-on-the-deck or dock work, our fisheries monitoring services will be utilized in various fisheries along the Pacific Coast. We support fish harvesters in Coast Ts’msyen territory on BC’s North Coast and those in the Five Nations Fishery within Nuu-chah-nulth territory on the western shores of Vancouver Island. This year, we’re continuing to expand this work with the Council of the Haida Nation, strengthening our commitment to sustainable fisheries through the collection of timely and accurate data. Are you interested in joining the Fisheries Monitoring team? Check out our Program Manager and Project Coordinator job postings!
Climate Resilience
We are forming new partnerships with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in Central Interior BC to help address critical biodiversity challenges and strengthen community climate resiliency. How? By transitioning toward a sustainable forest economy.
Furthering our commitment to the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, we are proud to support several new communities in their application to the federal program’s latest intake. These projects are designed to improve forest management practices and create new conservation areas, halting threats to biodiverse and culturally significant lands. Later this summer, we’re looking forward to heading into the forests to gather samples and estimate carbon levels, supporting our partners in soil carbon measurement.
But first, to kick off the year, we’re bringing our First Nations Carbon Toolkit directly to communities in partnership with the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN). These workshops will provide opportunities for face-to-face engagement with First Nation communities and provide tools and resources to support their carbon and natural climate solution projects. As we roll out new initiatives and partnerships this year, we will also be adding a new member to our team—keep an eye out for the job posting on our career page!
Food Systems
The food systems team is gearing up for exciting new initiatives. While it’s still too early to share details, we can tell you that we’re supporting the City of Prince Rupert’s Community Food Action Plan and deepening the local partnerships and projects arising from this work.
On the marine side, our priorities this year are food safety, access, distribution, and continued innovation. We continue supporting farm development activities on Metlakatla First Nation’s regenerative ocean farming project. As new avenues for distribution and sales arise for Metlakatla’s farm, we’re working together to advance a range of connected projects, from research and development with farm species to developing a monitoring plan.
Indigenous Homelands
With support from the Donnelly Foundation and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, our Indigenous Homelands team is leading a two-year project to democratize knowledge on Indigenous housing and homelands. This includes launching a public educational curriculum that embraces multiple ways of knowing—offering visual, oral, interactive, and multimedia learning experiences.
In partnership with the Nuxalk Nation, we are also advancing key governance initiatives, including a holistic housing strategy and a community-based economic development strategy, and the implementation of a governance policy to strengthen community-led decision-making.
Community Energy
In 2025, we are deepening our commitment to energy justice by expanding initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and driving policy change.
The Home Energy Savings Program is entering its second year supporting households looking to improve energy efficiency. By enhancing home energy performance, we aim to reduce costs, address safety risks, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In 2025, we’re expanding this free service into households in Quadra, Cortes, Denman and Hornby Islands, and qathet region (Powell River), while continuing to deliver free personalized service to Prince Rupert and northern Vancouver Island.
We’re also building new partnerships to extend our on-the-ground home retrofit work with Indigenous communities. We’re collaborating with the St’át’imc Nation in the interior of British Columbia and the Kwakiutl First Nation on northern Vancouver Island, and we’re in the early stages of connecting with communities from the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in west-central British Columbia, between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains.[1]
Beyond program delivery, we’re continuing our efforts to advance home energy justice at the policy level. Our team is engaging with decision-makers to push for equity-based energy programs and systemic changes to utility regulations in British Columbia. These efforts are critical to ensuring lasting, community-driven solutions.
A highlight of the year will be the Home Energy Justice Forum, taking place on May 27 in Vancouver. This marks our second forum, building on the success of our 2023 event. The gathering will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and advocates to foster meaningful conversations and actions toward more just and equitable energy systems.
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[1] St’át’imc Nation — pronounced stat-lee-um
Kwakiutl First Nation — pronounced kwa-gul
Tŝilhqot’in Nation — pronounced sill-ko-teen