Emergency Call 9-1-1
Chipping event
April 18 & 25, 9-2 pm, Hall 1 (north)
Fire Hazard Rating
Election 2026
ADVANCED POLLS:
SATURDAY, May 2, 2026, 11am - 7pM
POLLS:
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2026, 11am - 7pm
Election Policy HERE.
(APPROVED NOV 5, 2025)
Returning Officer
Cheryl Hannebauer
TRUSTEE Chair for Election Responsibilities
TRUSTEE APPEL
CANDIDATES for the 2026 ELECTION ARE:
Matthew (Matt) Dow
Erik Johnson
Diana Moher
John Rankin
Dimitri Tzotzos
Elizabeth (Liz) Wallinger
IMPORTANT DATES
March 23
nominations open
March 25 & April 1
nomination advertisements will appear in the Sounder.
April 9
Nominations close at 2PM
ApriL 14
candidates can Sign forms in the office in the presence of the Returning officer between 10Am-2PM on April 14.
optional signing appointments for candidates and Scrutineers to complete required election paperwork can be made by calling the corporate officer at (250) 247-9677 or email at corporateofficer@gabriolafire.ca to set up an appointment.
Should there only be four candidates' names put forward, there will be no election and they will be acclaimed at the AGM. The Returning Officer will draw names for the acclamation process at the AGM, starting with the longest term and proceeding to the shortest term if the terms have different lengths.
May 2
Advance polls in the FIRE HALL Training Room (11AM-7PM)
MAY 6
Election in the FIRE HALL Training Room (11AM-7PM)
MAY 6
AGM (7:30PM in FIRE HALL Training Room)
AGM CHECK-IN PROCESS
The Gabriola Land owners will check in at the registration table, Board designate Trustee Appel and his associate will check the Identity of the person via the BC Assessment Roll to confirm that the person is a Gabriola land owner.
Once that is confirmed, the landowner will be given a neon coloured piece of paper (One square will be given per person on the title as per BC assessment ROLl). this is to be used for voting on any motions that are put forth at the AGM, off the floor by the landowners or Board of Trustee members.
Motions will be, “All in favour” please raise the paper, or "Opposed”, if it looks to be a close vote, the votes will be called for a second time and the Chair or the board designate will count the votes from the floor and the motion will be either carried or opposed/defeated.
It is important to note any members of the public are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting but only Gabriola Landowners have the right to vote.
Once the count for the Election is completed, the Returning Officer will go into the Meeting to present the results of the election, by announcing the candidates names from Highest, to the lowest totals. There are 4 seats available for this Election, Three 3 year terms and one 1 year term.
The Returning Officer will submit a written report to the Board of Trustees at the following meeting after the election process. This report is compiled in consultation with the Corporate Officer.
UPDATES WILL ALSO BE FOUND ON THE CALENDAR HERE.
ADVANCE VOTING
FIRE HALL Training Room
(May 2, 11AM - 7PM)
Advance voting will take place In the training room (accessibility accommodations provided). At the end of the day, the ballot box will be sealed, secured and stored at the fire hall until the general election day on May 6, 2026.
One vote is also allowed for each board or corporation that owns land within the improvement district. The board or corporation must designate one person to act as an authorized agent to vote on its behalf. If more than one person is registered on title as a landowner, each one can vote as long as they also meet the other qualifications. However, no person can have two votes unless they meet the qualifications to be an elector and are also an agent authorized to vote on behalf of a board or corporation.
Please check your BC Assessment Form to verify that you and your partner are listed as joint owners of the property.
general election day
FIRE HALL Training Room
(May 6, 11AM - 7PM)
Voting will take place In the training room (accessibility accommodations provided).
One vote is also allowed for each board or corporation that owns land within the improvement district. The board or corporation must designate one person to act as an authorized agent to vote on its behalf. If more than one person is registered on title as a landowner, each one can vote as long as they also meet the other qualifications. However, no person can have two votes unless they meet the qualifications to be an elector and are also an agent authorized to vote on behalf of a board or corporation.
Please check your BC Assessment Form to verify that you and your partner are listed as joint owners of the property.
AGM
FIRE HALL Training Room
(May 6, 7:30pm)
Any member of the public may attend the AGM, but only landowners may vote.
At Registration/Check in for attendees, the Board designate and a volunteer will check that landowners (via the roll book) have the right to vote. Each attendee will receive a neon coloured piece of paper, to be held up for voting on motions arising at the AGM. See details above.
The election will be held in the training room (not the tRUck bay) on may 2 and may 6.
Make it easy!
Voting checklist here.
ELECTION BOOKLETS
Publishing these booklets replaces informal understanding with clear, consistent guidance that helps gives the public a transparent view of how things operate. They are in DRAFT format, that will continue to evolve and improve as processes are used, tested, and refined.
FUTURE DATES FOR THE ELECTIONS
Recommendation from the April 8 Board of Trustees meeting:
A motion was brought forward asking the Board to consider establishing a fixed election date in mid to late April. Following discussion, the motion was withdrawn. The intent of the motion was to avoid the GFPID Election occurring at the same time as the GFPID Emergency Preparedness Open House in future years. The recommended approach is that the GFPID Election be held prior to the Open House, allowing all Trustees the opportunity to participate in the event and, if they choose, engage with the public at an information table or booth. It should also be noted that audit materials must be submitted to the BC Ministry by the fixed deadline of May 15.