News
Fire Elections
In 2019, a group of Gabriolans took the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District to the Supreme Court of BC, and the 2019 Fire Board election was declared, “of no effect” by the Court. Here’s the voter turnout since that unique moment in Gabriola history: 2018 -...
Time for a Change
A friend once advised me to only write to the local paper to thank someone. However, I believe it’s important to speak up when you feel strongly about an issue. There is an upcoming election for the Gabriola Fire Improvement District this June 18th—it’s a big deal for...
There is something deeply, deeply wrong at the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District.
I feel beyond privileged that in my decade on the island, this community trained me to be a frontline firefighter and medical first responder with a sideline in governance and organizational budgeting as a former Trustee on the Islands Trust. Sadly, it’s from those...
2025 Fire Board Election is opportunity for voters to reflect on the kind of leadership we want managing public services
2025 Fire Board Election is opportunity for voters to reflect on the kind of leadership we want managing public services With the upcoming election for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District (GFPID), voters have an important opportunity to reflect on what...
Regarding “the Tax bill Cometh” Editorial in June 4 Sounder
Regarding “the Tax bill Cometh” Editorial in June 4 Sounder A 37.5% tax increase for the Gabriola Fire District, was shocked, as should everyone, so I did some investigation. Here is what I think. The problem is not the tax increase-in and of itself, in reality it is...
All-Candidates Meeting for the 2025 Fire Board Election
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News On June 18, at the Gabriola Fire Hall, Gabriola ratepayers will have an opportunity between Noon and 7pm to vote in three trustees for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Board. There are six candidates running for the three...
Cultivate returns to Gabriola July 12-13
Chelsea Rushton Gabriola Arts Council The Gabriola Arts Council is excited to present the 2025 Cultivate Performing and Arts Festival! On Saturday July 12, begin with brunch and baroque music, hosted by the Vancouver Island Symphony as part of their Summer Sizzle...
How ballots are counted during a Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Election
Sounder News The 2025 Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District election will take place on June 18 at the north Fire Hall, with voting open from noon until 7pm. The Interim Corporate Officer for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District, along with the...
Campfire ban, and early shift, to start on Thursday, June 12
Gabriola Sounder Gabriola Fire Chief Will Sprogis has advised the Sounder that the island would be moving to Early Shift on Thursday, June 12. Sprogis said on Wednesday, June 11 that with no precipitation expected in the next 12 hours, “we will be moving to the early...
Gabriola’s “Buy Local” Booklet returns for 2025 with stronger community impact
Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce The Gabriola Buy Local Coupon Booklet is back for 2025, bringing with it streamlined customer incentives and a powerful message: supporting local businesses strengthens the entire community. Launched in 2024, the booklet was...
Pride on Gabriola: Embracing Diversity and Building Community
Dibs Barisis Sprem Gabriola Island, with its rich tapestry of artists, eccentrics, and community-minded individuals, is preparing to host a Pride celebration on June 14th at Ravenskill Orchards. This event is more than a festivity; it’s a testament to the island’s...
MV Nadon coming to Degnan Bay
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Several community members attended the April 17th Gabriola Islands Trust meeting to express their concern about a large boat that was going to be arriving at Degnan bay. They reported that the...
Q&A with candidates running in 2025 Fire Board Election
There are six candidates running to be a Trustee on the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement Board. They are: Chris Bowers, Oliver Bussler, David Chorneyko, Paul Giffin, Rick Jackson, and Wayne Mercier. The Election will be on June 18 at Fire Hall #1 on Church Street....
The tax bill cometh
This past week, property owners on Gabriola started to receive their notices informing them what their specific local tax bills are this year. Every local government tax bill is up this year. Islands Trust increased 5.9%. Regional District of Nanaimo increased 8.6%....
Response to, “There are truly limits to living on an island, but carrying capacity is only half the conversation” in May 28 Sounder
Dear Tobi Elliot, With respect to your tutorial essay in the May 28 Sounder I respect and appreciate your acknowledgement of the original settlers here and their history and meaningful use of land and resources. Also acknowledge the way things changed with land...
Response to “Carrying Capacity” column in May 28 Sounder
Carrying capacity to what end Tobi Elliot’s article (May 28 Sounder) is much appreciated for engaging in a fairly thorough-going critique of ‘carrying capacity’ in the context of the Island Trust Mandate. In a certain sense Tobi Elliot’s article effects a crack in the...
RDN Director’s Report
Vanessa Craig Director, Electoral Area B(Gabriola, Mudge, and Decourcy Islands)Regional District of Nanaimo Happy June! Congratulations to all of the students who are completing their school year and gearing up for summer. With the nicer weather Huxley Park is hopping...
Progress for Paisley Place housing project
The Gabriola Housing Society Board recently met on the Paisley site to unveil the new signage describing the affordable housing project. In photo: GHS Board members: Dave Adair, Bill McCallum, Wayne Mercier, Nancy Hetherington Peirce (missing: Carol Hemrich, Barry...
GIRO getting $215K from CleanBC
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News The Gabriola Island Recycling Organization (GIRO) will be receiving $215,000 from the BC Government’s CleanBC Plastics Action Fund. Michelle Kresnyak, General Manager for GIRO, says the funding will be used to design and install a...
Islands Trust educates Gabriolans about Freshwater
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder As research and feedback continues on Gabriola’s new Official Community Plan, the Islands Trust is hosting the second information session on Freshwater. This educational event is happening...
Fire Chief requesting creation of full-time Assistant Fire Chief position
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News The Gabriola Fire Chief is asking the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District to approve the creation of a full-time Assistant Fire Chief position. Fire Chief Will Sprogis made the request during his report at the monthly meeting of...
Gabriola Speed Watch hits 1-year anniversary
Cst. Mark Biggar Gabriola RCMP The Gabriola Island RCMP have had a very successful year with our speed watch volunteers with an average two motorist education days per month. On average the volunteers have checked 100 vehicles per shift with a positive response from...
Spring Cleanup
The tradition of cleaning up Gabriola’s ditches, park trails, and other public spaces has had ups and downs over the past number of years. When there was still a Ratepayers Association, there would be an annaul day for people to pick up trash, and leave the bags by...
Tangled Roots raised $600 for Food bank
Speaking for Tangled Roots, I want to thank the people who made our Food Bank benefit concert at the GAC Hall on May 17th a success. We raised almost $600 for the Food Bank I hope everyone there enjoyed themselves as much as we did! Carol Furgusson/May’D on the rock,...
Fire Improvement District Voting should have advance and mail-in options
Voting processes for Gabriola’s Improvement District Trustees has been problematic for a number of years; it took a concerted effort back in the day to get an advance nomination period and longer voting times, but we got it. However this year only a ‘mid-week,...
