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Thank you for visiting FAQ. We understand that you might have questions, and we want to make sure you have some basic information to get things going. Below, you'll find a collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address common concerns, details, and/or  helpful tips. These answers are for quick, general information only and more details can be found on other sections of this website (ie., Bylaws, Meeting Minutes, etc.). Feel free to contact us at corporateofficer@gabriolafire.ca for more information.

 

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As a rate payer on Gabriola, how does the service level of the Firehall Department affect my property insurance?

One home owner recently said, “My insurance deduction is around $400.00, and the fire district tax I pay via my assessment is around $235. Ultimately I’m ahead close to $200.00 due to the Firehall service level on Gabriola!”. Of course ratepayers results have varied; some less and some more. Gabriola is generally considered rural with no city amenities such as fire hydrants, and this can affect our insurance rates.  The fire department, through ongoing training and testing with required equipment (water tankers and resources), has acquired a service level that is equal to the presence of street fire hydrants.  This, in turn, provides homeowners with a substantial deduction on their house insurance.  

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Are the minutes of the public meetings posted?

Minutes are published approximately one month behind the actual meeting date, as those minutes have to be approved at the beginning of the next scheduled Board meeting. The AGM Minutes cannot be posted to the website until they are approved. Approval for the current year AGM minutes will occur at the next AGM in the following year.

 

 

What are some important aspects of the role of Trustee?  

A community-minded Trustee puts the well-being and safety of our community first. This involves focusing on the long-term resilience and service quality of the fire hall, listening to community concerns and balancing diverse needs and working collaboratively, even when it means personal compromise.

Trustees provide for the needs of the firefighters ongoing training as provincial mandates change, provide updated equipment as required and mandated, looking ahead at large replacement items required by insurance and provincial regulations, along with upkeep and maintenance costs of equipment and buildings.  Trustees work to not only bring passion to this position, but also perspective.

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What is happening with video taping? 

The Board felt that it was necessary to follow what other government agencies were doing in regards to transparency and procedures around video taping public meetings.  Since the end of 2025, the Board has been uploading videos of the public meetings to the Gabriola Fire Dept. website. This allows the public to view meetings at their leisure, whilst ensuring that the public is never shown. As well, the video is shown in its entirety for contextual reasons.  As always, audio recordings are allowed once the meeting has started.

 

 

Who has become Corporate Officer?

We are in the process of transitioning towards hiring a new CO.  The job description can be found HERE.

 

 

What is the boards policy on how and when elections are held? 

According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, as of July 21, 2021, AGM’s, (which includes our election), are to be held once per calendar year. Changed from every 12 months. (LGAs, 690(1)).

 

 

Was there an election of Trustee Moher as Chair at February meeting?

This never happened.  The request was for Trustee Moher to deal with the election material and be available at the Firehall the day of the election.

 

 

When, by why and by whom, was the decision made to oppose the unionization efforts of FD members?

There never was opposition by the Board and there is currently no opposition of having a Union.  The first official notification the Board had regarding the union was an email from the Chief.  The second notification was an email from from the LRB board to the Chair to attend a meeting on Zoom to ratify the vote.  The lawyer asked at that meeting for three positions to be exempt.

 

 

How much has the Chair been paid for processing FOI’s?

Yes, we do have a resolution.  The Chair has never been paid, nor has the Chair ever submitted an invoice.  The resolution stands in the event a future Chair chooses to use it.

 

 

Is there a Bylaw for Mallet Creek?

No bylaw is required because it is a water rights agreement.

 

 

What is the policy of board to responding to correspondence.

In conjunction with the Chair, the communication committee will continue to work towards streamlining our response to incoming email in a timely and appropriate fashion.

 

 

When does the Financial Committee report?

It reports quarterly.  Next one is the AGM.

 

 

How much is Rogers paying monthly on the lease that started May 2024?

The Rogers lease has NOT been activated. 

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More questions will be added over time...