News
A sister and a mother reflect on how drug overdoses claimed the lives of their loved ones
Gabriola Sounder This is the third article in the Building Hope series about the poisoned drug crisis and its impacts on Gabriola Island. Part 1 of the series can be found here. For a list of resources and supports in relation to these subjects please visit...
Fire Board commits to policy and financial management reviews
The first post-2025-election meeting of the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement Board took place on July 2, 2025. L-R: Fire Chief Will Sprogis, Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Ovens, and interim Corporate Officer, Administrative Assistant Marjorie Colebrook, Trustees Diana...
Illicit drug use is higher risk than in the past; the impacts are far-reaching
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Sounder News The following article discusses drug use and overdose. A list of resources for those who may need support in relation to these subjects follows this article. This is the second article in the Building Hope series about the poisoned...
$92,643 in Community grants approved by RDN
Sounder News The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board approved community grants for 20 organizations across the region at the July 8, 2025, board meeting. The value of the community grants awarded for the spring 2025 intake totals $92,643. RDN staff say the grants...
Health and Wellbeing Coordinator position renewed
Emily Carson-Apstein, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder This time last year, community groups on Gabriola were in discussion about who would hold the contract for the newly created position of Health and Wellbeing Coordinator (HWC). On Thursday...
Letter to the Editor: New policy on towed electric vehicles on BC Ferries
To Nicolas Jimenez, CEO British Columbia Ferry Corporation The Gabriola Transportation Society has serious concerns regarding your new policy prohibiting towed electric vehicles on BCF vessels. We believe that the policy is inconsistent with the Transport Canada...
RDN should buy the Haven
Once again, the Haven property is for sale. And once again, the community will have an opportunity for a facility that we could not hope to plan and build for if starting from scratch. At least, not at the price the Haven Foundation is asking for. Start with the...
Islands Trust mandate debated in court, and at Trust Council
Emily Carson-Apstein, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Since its creation in 1974, the Islands Trust has been mandated to “preserve and protect” the unique natural environment of the gulf islands. The seventies were a time of rapid development in...
Mandated housing report “may cause harm” to communities
Emily Carson-Apstein, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola SounderThe Islands Trust has completed a Housing Needs Report as mandated by the province of British Columbia. The provincial government is collecting and processing Housing Needs Reports from every...
Letter to the Editor: Regarding the Islands Trust Governmental Review
The BC government created the Islands Trust in 1974 with a mandate to “preserve and protect over 450 islands in the Salish Sea and surrounding waters” and seems to have abandoned it shortly after. Our provincial government failed to grant final decision-making power...
BCF needs to solve EV towing issue quickly
No one wants a lithium battery fire on a ferry, or anywhere. Blanket banning any non-operational EV from going on a ferry is going to be a major blow to island communities. This policy just made the entire west coast a very high-cost and potentially environmentally...
BCF prohibits EVs from being towed onto ships
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News Electric vehicle (EV) owners have reason to worry about what they will have to do if they find their vehicle requires repairs off Gabriola or other islands in BC. BC Ferries is not allowing tow trucks carrying non-operational EVs to board...
Somerset arsonist sentenced, released on time served
Macleod served over two years, while awaiting sentencingSounder News Nathan Macleod, found guilty after breaking into a home at Somerset Farm and lighting it on fire, has been released from jail, having served his jail time while awaiting sentencing. On October 7,...
Centre Stage seeking approval to clear trees adjacent to Snuneymuxw burial sites
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Centre Stage Holdings is requesting Islands Trust approval to remove select trees on their 110 acre property located between Lackhaven drive (above the Community Hall) and Oyster Way, on the...
Fishing Report for July 2
Photo: Hatchery Coho season is open, and very productive. Joe Wallace, and Billy Boyte each with their two fish limit.Bob Meyer June was the windiest I’ve seen in my 55 years here. It just blew, and blew, and blew. After all my years of chartering, I was feeling...
Islands Trust governmental review request denied
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Since 2022, the Islands Trust council has repeatedly requested that the Province of BC review and update their mandate, scope, and funding structure. The request was delayed several times...
Our Lady of Victory celebrates 100 years on July 20
Anne Sims, with Del McCarthy, Our Lady of Victory Church at Silva Bay On July 19, 1925, Bishop Thomas O’Donnell from the Roman Catholic Victoria Diocese arrived on Gabriola Island to bless and consecrate its newest mission church, Our Lady of Victory. It was an event...
Poisoned drugs are on Gabriola. Can a compassionate community help address the crisis?
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Sounder News The following article discusses drug use and overdose. A list of resources for those who may need support in relation to these subjects follows this article. The Building Hope series is about the poisoned drug crisis and its impacts...
Overseas is on time
We want our ferries to be on time. BC Ferries does too. There’s a long history of mis-steps by our federal and provincial governments in failing our ability to build ships in Canada. And in supporting the domestic production of steel. What we don’t have right now is...
Please Drive Slower
Gabriola has some very busy events coming together for the next few months. First is the arrival of summer time. Then there is the arrival of more and more people coming to the islands with their vehicles. Too many of whom come from large urban areas where speed...
Regarding Federal Transport Minister Freeland’s response to BC Ferries deal with Chinese Company
One of the reasons folks argued against electing Mark Carney’s Liberals was that despite “a change in the coach - the players remained the same”. This came to mind while I read coverage this past weekend, with Freeland expressing concern that Canadian Companies...
Diana Moher retires from GES
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder After 35 years working in the Nanaimo/Ladysmith public school system, 28 of which were at Gabriola Elementary, Diana Moher is retiring from her most recent role of Education Assistant at GES....
Reconciliatory renaming within the Islands Trust
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder One topic that came up repeatedly at the Islands Trust Quarterly Meeting on Salt Spring Island in mid-June was indigenous relationships and reconciliation. It’s one thing to make land...
Kathy Gurr retires as GES kindergarten teacher
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Kathy Gurr began as a parent volunteer and substitute teacher in the year 2000, and has been teaching on and off ever since! She’s taught kindergarten at Gabriola Elementary since 2016, and...
Concerned gulf islanders request Islands Trust tackle ferry issues
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Since BC Ferries disbanded the Ferry Advisory Committees in December of 2024, gulf island residents have lost an important avenue to voice concerns about the ferry service we all rely on. As a...
