Gabriola Transportation Society Shaping Our Island’s Mobility: The 2026 GTS AGM

April 14, 2026: AGM Report

The Gabriola Transportation Society’s 2026 AGM was held at the Rollo Centre and featured guest speakers BC Ferry& Marine Workers Union President Eric McNeely and Ships Officers Component President Capt Chris Klassen. (Linked here)

McNeely and Klassen spoke about “the scrapping of the FACs with a resultant lack of communications, and input between BC Ferries and the community,” the “increase in Experience Card top ups,” and noted that “our two ferry service is often at capacity especially on late afternoon summer sailings to the island, yet BC Ferries has been deaf to requests for schedule adjustments that could prevent two and three hour lineups.”

They also focussed on BC Ferries’ governance structure that results in “a sense where BC Ferries acts like a for-profit corporation rather than a necessary service or public utility.”

During the business portion of the AGM three directors were acclaimed for the 2026/7 term; Steven Earle as president, Tawny Maclachlan Capon as vice-pres, and Ivan Bulic as secretary/treasurer.

The highlight of the AGM was the Director’s Report that listed the year’s campaigns, events and actions, Including:

Apr 25, 2025: Gabriola Safe Roads Initiative

Oct 31, 2025: Letter to Vic Harbour Authority re scrapping cruise ship electrification

Oct 25, 2025: GTS presentation to RDN Board on Ferry Hill safety

Oct, 2025: GTS Pedestrian and Cyclist safety on Ferry Hill presented to RDN Board

Nov 25, 2025: CBC TV covered GTS safety concerns of Ferry Hill

Dec 01, 2025: Letter to PM and BC Premier supporting North Coast Tanker Ban.

Dec 15, 2025: CBC TV covered safety pylons appearing on Ferry Hill

Dec, 2025: GTS letter to MoTT on removal of Ferry Hill delineators

Jan ,2026: GTS Letter to BC Ferry CEO Jimenez re Experience Cards

Jan, 2026: Experience Card campaign during which Tawny and Susan Yates organized sending 217 letters to BCF about their top up policy.