Town Hall

Advocacy

Mayor and Council regularly advocate to other levels of government, agencies, and partners on issues that matter to the Town of Gibsons. This can include topics such as housing, transportation, healthcare, environmental protection, and more.

If there’s an issue you believe Mayor and Council should advocate for, you can submit your request in writing. Please include a clear description of the issue, how it affects Gibsons, and what action you’re requesting.

Email your request to: mayorandcouncil@gibsons.ca
Or mail to:
Town of Gibsons
474 South Fletcher Road
Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0

  • Advocated for affordable and supportive housing projects on the Sunshine Coast.
  • Met with Sunshine Coast Community Services to advance regional housing advocacy and affordable housing opportunities.
  • Promoted the Everybody Deserves a Home program and advocated for reducing barriers to housing development.
  • Supported the opening of Shaw Place Phase 1 and groundbreaking for Phase 2 with the Minister of Housing.
  • Worked with community partners to implement approximately 40 new housing subsidies through BC Housing funding.
  • Advocated to BC Housing for additional supportive housing, complex care beds, and greater accountability for housing providers.
  • Continued advocating for Phase 3 of the Christenson Lands Housing project and explored provincial and federal funding opportunities.
  • Raised concerns with the Province about building costs limiting housing development in rural communities.

  • The Town of Gibsons Ferry Advisory Committee has published its 2026 Annual Community Position Paper on Route 3, outlining six priority areas for BC Ferries, the Province of British Columbia and the BC Ferry Authority to consider as decisions are made about the future of the Horseshoe Bay–Langdale route. Read the press release and report here.
  • Met BC Ferries about making it easier for people needing ferry service for medical appointments to get assured loading .
  • Requested a formal BC Ferries performance review of the Langdale–Horseshoe Bay route, citing concerns with reliability, cancellations, governance and regional impacts.
  • Participated in ongoing advocacy and meetings regarding BC Ferries governance and regional transportation.
  • Advocated for improved Highway 101 safety following the fatal collision near Poplars Estates, including corridor planning and pedestrian safety improvements.
  • Supported expansion of youth transit and improved public transit services on the Sunshine Coast.
  • Championed passenger ferry service between Gibsons and Metro Vancouver, including collaboration on the CIRQL Ferries proposal.
  • Built regional and provincial partnerships to advance passenger ferry service and improve transportation connections.
  • Continued advocacy with the Ministry of Transportation for Highway 101 improvements, active transportation, transit expansion and passenger ferry service.
  • Met with federal and provincial representatives regarding BC Ferries funding, ferry construction, reservation systems, medical travel, and ongoing service improvements.

  • Advocated to provincial ministries regarding the Sunshine Coast child care crisis.
  • Sought provincial and federal support to address staffing shortages, including the impact of Temporary Foreign Workers.
  • Worked with School District 46, the YMCA, local governments and provincial officials on child care solutions.
  • Convened meetings to address funding challenges affecting the $10-a-day child care program and brought the issue to ministers at UBCM.
  • Continued advocating to provincial ministers to address child care expansion challenges.

  • Met MLA Randene Neill about watershed protection.
  • Advocated for continued Local Government Climate Action Program funding.
  • Supported funding for:
    • Building energy upgrades
    • Fleet electrification
    • Urban forestry
    • Emergency preparedness and resilience
    • Ecosystem restoration
  • Supported the SCRD’s FireSmart grant application.
  • Raised watershed protection issues with provincial representatives.

  • Met Minister of Health Josie Osborne about long-term care standards and expansion, primary care, healthcare workforce challenges, treatment and recovery programs.
  • Advocated for improved mental health and addictions services, including the repurposing of Totem Lodge.
  • Raised concerns about the transition to Silverstone long-term care and secured improved communication with Vancouver Coastal Health.
  • Advocated for expanded long-term care, supportive housing, treatment and recovery programs, primary care access, and health workforce housing.
  • Worked with the Ministry of Health to improve assured loading for medical travel on BC Ferries.

  • Advocated for sustainable provincial funding for public libraries.
  • Secured support for federal infrastructure funding and municipal investment needs through meetings with federal representatives.
  • Met Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Garry Begg about easing the policing funding transition for communities reaching population of 5,000, and Minister or State Brittny Anderson for Local Governments and Rural Communities about the same thing.
  • Advocated for the public release of The Beachcombers to promote Gibsons’ cultural heritage and tourism.