Gabriola Island OCP Review Phase 2 What We Heard Report

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ISLANDSTRUST.BC.CA/ISLAND-PLANNING/GABRIOLA/PROJECTS/GABRIOLA-OCPREVIEW
What We Heard
Engagement Summary Report
June 2024
June 2025
GABRIOLA OCP REVIEW
TOPIC-FOCUSED 
ENGAGEMENT
A Community-Guided Process
In 2024, the Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee launched the Gabriola Visioning 2050 
engagement process as an opportunity for island residents to discuss and define community 
vision and values. The Gabriola Vision 2050 engagement activities were an opportunity for 
Gabriola residents to tell Islands Trust elected trustees what is special about this place, and how 
they envision the future of this community. The results of this engagement process led to the 
identification of topics important to Gabriola residents:  housing; the economy; environmental 
protection; climate change; waste; water; and cultural heritage. 
The Gabriola Visioining 2050 - What We Heard From the Online Survey report is available 
here.  
The Gabriola Official Community Plan (OCP) Review Topic-focused public engagement included 
focus groups and an online survey which ran from ran from September 18, 2024 to May 15, 2025. 
During this time, 590 people responded to the survey. Discussion guides on the following topics 
were created to support respondents as they provided feedback on topics identified as important to 
Gabriola residents during the last round of engagement:
• Connectivity
• Economy
• Environment
• Housing
• Resource Stewardship
• Water
September 2025

Key themes
Across all topic areas, a few key ideas were consistently echoed through responses to the survey 
and the focus groups. 
• Water sustainability and groundwater protection remain top priorities
• Clear, measurable, and enforceable policy language is needed in the updated OCP
• The community supports housing diversity, but density should align with available water 
resources
• Environmental protection and ecological integrity must be prioritized across all policy areas
• A desire for balance between conservation and resilience — especially in forestry, agriculture, 
housing, and economic policy
Focus Groups
Topic-focused conversations were held from March to April 2025 on select themes.  A maximum of 
12 participants with different lived experiences were present in each focus group. 
Connectivity
Focus group participants emphasized creating a safer, more accessible Gabriola — especially for 
youth, seniors, and people using mobility aids. Trails and parks are seen as vital for both recreation 
and transportation. The importance of supporting a healthy and active community was emphasized.
Parks and Trails
Focus group participants prioritized safe, active mobility for all ages and abilities. Steps to achieve 
this include continuing to develop a comprehensive island-wide trail map in collaboration with the 
Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Gabriola Land & Trails Trust (GaLTT). It was emphasized 
that parkland contributions from developers should be high-quality and flexible, and that playing 
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