Part of our impact = sharing tangible resources with our Gabriola community.
2024 Gabriola Health & Wellbeing Report
This 47-page report contains data on most everything that influences the health and wellbeing of Gabriolans, including over 120 data points and illustrations. The report draws on the 2021 Canadian Census of Population, Community Health Service Area data, and data shared by local Gabriola organizations. And for the first time, the report tracks changes in the data over time. Read the report online or order a print copy from Gallery Press.
“This is an amazing report on all levels: clarity, comprehensiveness of data; graphics, and relevance to our community. I intend to use it for all of the work I do on the update of Gabriola's Official Community Plan, over the next 2 years of my term as a Local Trustee. I am grateful to everyone who worked to make the information in this report so easy to read and understand”
— Local Trustee, Susan Yates
“I look forward to the reflections that come out of this publication. The study will help inform the Chamber’s own research project this year speaking to businesses about their challenges and opportunities on Gabriola”.
— Gabriola Chamber ED, Erin Udal
“The contents of this report are critical to helping the Foundation achieve an important part of its mandate – knowing the community’s health and wellbeing needs. We are very happy to partner with the Gabriola Health and Wellbeing Collaborative to produce this exceptional resource.”
— GHCF President, Jeff Malmgren
“Like many rural communities, islanders here face particular challenges… Through a combination of innovative strategies and gumboot grit, this community has risen to meet those challenges through a raft of local solutions.”
— Gabriola Health Report Video
Projects of the Collaborative
Since 2016, the Collaborative has implemented…
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At 47 pages, the report contains data on most everything that influences the health and wellbeing of Gabriolans, including over 120 data points and illustrations. The report draws on the 2021 Canadian Census of Population, Community Health Service Area data, and data shared by local Gabriola organizations. And for the first time, the report tracks changes in the data over time. Read the report.
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This Community Health Service Areas (CHSAs) health profile contains information about the community’s demographics, socio-economic and health/disease status as represented through various community health indicators. Read the BC Community Health 4247 Gabriola Island CHSA Profile.
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This included a community planning event and a survey to capture health priorities and assess community resilience. Completed by 435 island residents, the results were compiled into this report - Health and Wellbeing on Gabriola, Mudge and DeCourcy Islands: Looking to the Future.
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Within two weeks of COVID being declared a pandemic, Collaborative organizations came together. These organizations covered health care, emergency response, transportation, communications, food security, and local government. Initially meeting weekly to ensure plans were established quickly, the group continued to meet to adjust plans and monitor impacts on the community.
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This collaborative effort between Sustainable Gabriola and Gabriola Health and Wellbeing Collaborative networks was established to assess the impact of COVID on the community.
The Gabriola Beyond Recovery Report (2020) was based on a survey of 363 residents between March and July 2020, involving interviews with individuals from underserved populations and electronic communications with primary health care providers.
It provides information about Gabriolans’ experiences during the first eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic, to find out what we have learned from these experiences, and to use what we’ve learned to do things differently in the future.
The research revealed broad insights into the population as a whole and a deeper understanding of the experiences of essential retail and health workers as well as our most vulnerable community members.
Key lessons:
The importance of social connections and connections with nature and exercise for wellbeing,
The importance of addressing increased anxiety and stress,
The magnified impact of the pandemic on workers,
The need for adaptation strategies for a vulnerable local health care system,
The importance of income stability, and
The necessity of increasing community resilience.
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Read the Gabriola Health Report (2020) and watch the Gabriola Health Report Video.
Find the 2024 Gabriola Health & Wellbeing Report HERE.
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A Gabriola Home Hospice Program provided by People for a Healthy Community (2018).
Member Resources
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“Doctors of BC recognizes the negative impact that colonialism has had and continues to have on Indigenous communities, and how unsafe health care spaces have left many Indigenous patients fearful to seek medical assistance.
Much of our ongoing work and programs are supported through the Physician Services Committee and delivered through the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs), a partnership of Doctors of BC and the BC government. This guide is a resource to provide knowledge, wise practices, and support to community organizations, such as medical staff associations and divisions of family practice, to respectfully engage Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders in events, meetings, project work, and/or celebrations.”
From: Introduction: Guide For Respectful Indigenous Engagement, June 2025, page 2
GHWC Meeting Notes
We’re happy to share these Gabriola Health and Wellbeing Collaborative Approved Meeting Notes on our website.
Community Events
Many of our member organizations offer health and wellbeing-related events and opportunities on Gabriola. We encourage you to visit the Gabriola Chamber’s directory listing to find upcoming offerings!
