News
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...
BC Ferries extends deadline to July 9 for public input on which sailings to not cancel during terminal refurbishment
Sounder News Gabriolans have two weeks left - until July 9 - to let BC Ferries know what they think of the current proposal for terminal upgrades on the Gabriola ferry route. This past Sunday, BC Ferries staff - including Communications staff and project managers -...
Bussler, Chorneyko, and Mercier elected to Fire Board
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News Oliver Bussler, David Chorneyko, and Wayne Mercier were elected to the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Board in the 2025 Election, held last Wednesday, June 18. Following the election, Mercier was appointed Chair of the Board,...
Shipyard selected to construct new major vessels
A rendering of what the propose new major vessels will look like when they start service in 2029. BC Ferries graphicSounder NewsBC Ferries announced last week that the company has selected China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) to build four New Major...
A unique opportunity for public engagement
Tobi ElliottGabriola TrusteeIslands TrustGabriola is at a pivotal moment, with a chance for our community to shape two significant Islands Trust documents: an updated draft of the Policy Statement and a draft Official Community Plan (OCP) for Gabriola. These documents...
Islands Trust currently holding quarterly meeting on Salt Spring
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Islands Trust is currently holding their Quarterly Meeting from June 17th to 19th on Salt Spring Island.This is a chance for local trustees to connect with those representing the other 13...
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...
