Derek Kilbourn
Sounder News
Paul Giffin, chair of the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District, tells the Sounder that it was for legal reasons that items were discussed in camera after the March 5 regular Board meeting.
Giffin was answering questions posed to the himself and the other Trustees by the Sounder -after the in camera minutes were posted to the Gabriola Fire web site as part of the April 2 regular board meeting agenda. The main question being, why were any of these issues discussed in camera, when they did not appear to deal with in camera issues (land, personnel, or legal matters)?
The first matter being that the board is looking into taking a loan out, either from the District’s Capital Reserve fund, or the 2025 levy.
Giffin said because there was a need to find out if the board could legally do either of those things, making it a legal discussion, so it was discussed in camera. As for why the board is looking at a loan, Giffin cited the costs associated with the ongoing Freedom of Information and Privacy (FOIP) requests, and the board paying the company Privacy Works to answer those.
The board, according to Giffin, is not out of money yet in the operating fund, but is trying to be prepared for that.
The second matter – that of the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief being made Fire Inspectors by the Regional District of Nanaimo – was, as Giffin explained, required another discussion around legal issues – such as the fact that the RDN has no jurisdiction to do so. The Fire Commissioner’s office has now approved both to be inspectors, and the issue is resolved, according to Giffin.
The final matter discussed – that of moving the 2025 Annual General Meeting and 2025 Elections to June – was also a legal matter, according to Giffin. Giffin said the board couldn’t have the discussion in public until it knew it could legally delay the election. At the April 2 meeting of the board, trustees approved moving the 2025 AGM and Election to June 18.
Giffin, and Trustee Charlene Wells have terms ending this year. Neither has declared if they are running for re-election.
The final issue asked of the Trustees by the Sounder was if there is anyone currently working as an acting Corporate Officer.
The previous Corporate Officer, Dr. Matthew Down, was terminated without cause on March 13, 2025. He was hired by the District on April 10, 2024 as a Corporate Officer and Administrative Assistant. He has filed a civil suit against the board, Chair Giffin, and Fire Chief Will Sprogis, as reported on in the March 26 Sounder.
According to the civil suit filed by Dr. Dow against the board, he had been placed on leave on December 13, 2024.
At the April 2 meeting, the board approved a hiring committee being formed to hire a new Corporate Officer and Administrative Assistant. That committee will also be looking at the job description and duties of the position.
Giffin stated at the April 2 meeting that the District has no corporate officer. When asked who was doing the work of the Corporate Officer since December 13, 2024, Giffin has said he cannot speak to that due to it being a personnel issue, and one that is before the courts.
The Board, on April 2, approved the hiring of, “an appropriate person to review the material at the financial records before it goes to the auditor.”
At the April 2 meeting, the trustees were asked by members of the public who has been doing the work of the Corporate Officer since Dr. Dow was put on leave. Signing pay cheques for the firefighters and other duties.
Giffin said there are three people who have signing authority. Giffin stated he wrote the cheques to pay firefighters and bills, those cheques were reviewed by one or more trustees. In order to meeting provincial legislation, the audited financial report has to be turned in to the Ministry of Municipalities by May 15. Giffin was asked at the April 2 meeting how, if the AGM is moved to June 18, how the board plans to meet the May 15 deadline.
Giffin said, “I don’t know how that affects that May 15 date. I’m assuming that May 15 date is kind of waivered. I don’t know. It’s possible. I don’t know.”
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