Vanessa in the Media

An article highlighting that I have been elected President of AVICC, and the role of AVICC and UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) in advocating for local government priorities. The article also shares the news that I will be running again in the upcoming local government elections! https://soundernews.com/ea-b-director-vanessa-craig-elected-president-of-avicc/ 

A report on the issues discussed at the June Area B POSAC. Topics included improvements to the village way path (fence and marking crossings) and planning for a sportsfield and recreation centre https://soundernews.com/posac-hears-update-on-village-way-railing-sports-field-crosswalks/ 

Within an article about the Gabriola Fire Department's recent emergency exercise involving numerous partner responders, I talk about the RDN's evacuation plan for Area B https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gabriola-fire-unique-challenges-emergency-preparedness-gulf-islands-9.7242850

GERTIE has funding through a service agreement for Area B, paid for by Area B taxation. The Board supported my Motion to renew the agreement for a 5-year term to provide the GERTIE Board with certainty in funding.  https://soundernews.com/rdn-renews-gertie-funding-for-5-year-term-new-service-agreement-will-end-in-2031/ 

I requested that proposed updates to the RDN building bylaw be referred to the Islands Trust Local Trust Committee for review and comment because some of the proposed changes could affect Islands Trust planning.

https://soundernews.com/proposed-rdn-building-bylaw-referred-to-gabriola-ltc/ 

The Taxi Saver coupon program provides 50% off taxi costs for seniors and people with disabilities and is paid for through Gabriola taxation. I made a Motion to extend the agreement for 5 years as well as add funding to address a shortfall in 2025.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-filling-in-gaps-for-taxi-saver-shortfall-3/ 

At the June Area B Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee meeting we received correspondence re. horse access to Petroglyph Trail. After discussion I made a Motion to support RDN staff working with the Gabriola Horse Group on improving horse access to the trail.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-to-look-into-restoring-horse-access-through-petroglyph-trail/  

The RDN held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the acquisition of the 364-ha Hamilton Marsh and surrounding forest as our 13th regional park.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-celebrates-hamilton-marsh-acquisition-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/ 

The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) passed its 2026 budget which included a 21% increase over 2025. In the article I explain why I supported this increase.

https://soundernews.com/nrhd-board-passes-budget-with-21-tax-requisition-increase-to-advance-healthcare-projects/ 

To implement the feasibility study for a green burial cemetery, I allocated $30,000 of Area B reserve funds. The funding will not affect taxation levels for 2026.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-commits-30000-for-green-burial-feasibility-study/ 

To tackle the ferry hill safety issue the RDN is developing a working group to help provide input and to get people working together. The working group will include me and RDN staff as well as representatives from MoTT, BC Ferries, Islands Trust, MLA Malcolmson, Gabriola Transportation committee reps, Gabriola emergency responders (ambulance, police, fire), and the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-creating-stakeholder-working-group-for-village-pathway-expansion-down-ferry-hill/ 

The 2026 RDN financial plan was adopted at the Feb 24 Board meeting.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-adopts-2026-2030-financial-plan/ 

The Feb 9 meeting of the Area B Parks and Open Spaces Committee received a delegation from a community member asking that an equestrian arena be installed and maintained at Rollo McClay Park.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-requested-to-consider-community-riding-arena/ 

An in-depth article examining examples of innovative building practices across the country. The tiny homes project led by the Islands Trust (with Gabriola Trustee Tobi Elliott in a leadership role) and partnering with the Regional District of Nanaimo, is one of the projects featured https://www.begiant.ca/stories/ideas/tiny-modular-homes-canada-housing-crisis 

During the Feb 9 meeting of the Area B Parks and Open Spaces Committee we discussed potential placement options for a new sportsfield, and the new addition to Cox Park seems to be a good candidate. We also will be receiving a report in future about whether the new field should be natural grass or synthetic turf.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-considering-new-section-of-cox-park-for-soccer-field/  

The Board supported receiving more information about the usage of the EV charging stations involved by the RDN. We have one at the Community Hall and I was in support of receiving more information (the request for an update report was already made at the time of installation to give the Directors information about the usage).

https://soundernews.com/board-considers-removing-ev-charging-stations-from-four-locations-in-rdn-by-2028-2/ 

The Gabriola Island Memorial Society (GIMS) has had difficulty acquiring land for a green burial cemetery and requested assistance from the RDN. The RDN will conduct a feasibility study of how the RDN can help GIMS acquire land.

https://soundernews.com/land-options-being-considered-by-for-a-green-burial-cemetery/  

I proposed a resolution (supported by the Board) to go to AVICC and UBCM asking for the province and Canada to get a third party to look at the cost-benefit analysis on the affordability, safety, and energy efficiency impacts of the building code on small homes and potentially look at a simplified building code for small homes.

https://soundernews.com/ea-b-director-crafts-ubcm-resolution-to-scale-the-building-code-for-small-homes/   

The minimum "top up" fee for an Experience Card continues to increase, stretching affordability. This reports out on a recent meeting Trustee Yates and I had with BC Ferries and ongoing advocacy by us and the Gabriola Transportation Society.

https://soundernews.com/bc-ferries-says-it-is-examining-solutions-for-experience-card-minimal-renewal-costs/  

The Board supported my resolution to increase the Gabriola Museum funding to $41,000 for the next 3 years. Funding for the museum comes from Area B taxation.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-renews-gabriola-museum-funding-for-three-year-term/ 

During 2026 budget deliberations I supported moving funding for 2 parks projects out of the budget to prioritize projects identified through the Parks and Trails Master Plan.

https://soundernews.com/access-improvements-to-joyce-lockwood-and-blue-heron-put-on-hold/ 

An article on the Health Summit that the RDN organized and hosted.

https://soundernews.com/elected-officials-and-health-leaders-talk-doctor-recruitment-and-retention/   

The Board approved the preliminary 2026-2030 financial plan. Changes can be made to the plan until the end of March 2026.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-board-approves-2026-2030-financial-plan/     

A story about unsanctioned road delineators on ferry hill highlighted the dangerous state of the area for pedestrians and cyclists. I highlighted the upcoming ferry hill project.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/unsanctioned-barriers-gabriola-island-9.7017210 

A story about the RDN building bylaw and the Motion that I made to amend the bylaw to address the current requirement for moved-on homes to appraise at 100% of neighbouring properties which adds expense to homeowners and limits areas where moved-on homes can be used.

https://nanaimobulletin.com/2025/12/09/rdn-to-look-at-building-code-changes-to-make-it-easier-to-physically-move-homes/  

An article about the Volunteer Open House held November 8th. I acknowledged the importance of our community volunteers and recognized the level of engagement we have here is unique across areas in the RDN.

https://soundernews.com/gabriola-highlights-ongoing-need-for-volunteers/   

I participated in a celebration of the Gabriola Commons receiving funding from the Gabriola Lions and the RDN.

https://soundernews.com/gabriola-commons-kitchen-gets-electrical-boost/    

After three years as Chair I decided to step back and nominated my past Vice Chair EA H Director Stuart McLean to be Chair.

https://soundernews.com/vanessa-craig-steps-down-as-rdn-chair/  

As part of an article focussed on the Gabriola Transportation Society advocacy for a safe ferry hill connector for pedestrians and cyclists, I indicate the project is in the workplan for 2026 with the plan to develop a working group including MoTT and BC Ferries. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gabriola-island-ferry-terminal-transportation-9.6971473 

The RDN Board committed to providing $22.5 million in funding towards the purchase of 364-ha Hamilton Marsh and forest as our 13th regional park. Work will continue with fundraising partners to raise additional funds. Funding needs to be confirmed by January 20, 2026. 

https://soundernews.com/rdn-pledges-22-5-million-of-30-million-to-acquire-hamilton-wetlands-for-regional-park/ 

Parksville Councillor Sean Wood and I met with Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development Steve Morissette to request that the province match the federal volunteer first responders tax credit. 

https://soundernews.com/rdn-advocates-for-bc-to-match-federal-tax-exemptions-for-volunteer-first-responders/ 

I attended an Islands Trust meeting where numerous Gabriolans gathered and spoke about concerns with RDN bylaw orders to bring homes that do not comply with the building code and/or the Islands Trust landuse bylaws into compliance.

https://soundernews.com/over-100-gabriolans-show-up-to-support-residents-at-risk-of-having-their-homes-demolished-by-the-rdn/ 

The article speaks about a panel discussion I organized at UBCM featuring Trustee Tobi Elliott and RDN staff talking about the results of the technical panel formed as part of and Islands Trust meeting. It also touches on a resolution from the RDN on a tiny home building code.

https://soundernews.com/tiny-homes-conversation-reignited-at-ubcm/ 

Article on the conditional purchase and sale agreement that was reached to secure the 360 ha Hamilton Marsh wetland and surrounding forest as the RDN's newest regional park.

https://pqbnews.com/2025/09/03/30m-deal-reached-to-secure-sensitive-wetland-south-of-qualicum-beach/  

An article on the planned expansion of transit service in Nanaimo in 2026.

https://soundernews.com/bc-transit-services-in-nanaimo-will-expand-early-next-year/  

An article sharing that the UBCM panel on tiny homes I organized based on the work of the Islands Trust was accepted. Trustee Tobi Elliott was instrumental in getting the Islands Trust project moving. It's a great example of collaboration between the Islands Trust and the RDN.

https://soundernews.com/tiny-home-possibilities-being-shared-province-wide/   

In this article Trustees Tobi Elliott and Susan Yates and I share our concerns about BC Ferries service (or lack thereof).

https://soundernews.com/bc-ferries-adds-1000-sailings-for-summer-none-for-gabriola/    

Article about the disbandment of the Ferry Advisory Committees and BC Ferries' new engagement framework.

https://soundernews.com/bc-ferries-launches-lets-connect-engagement-framework-to-replace-ferry-advisory-committees/   

Article about the finalization of the 2025 budget and 2025-2029 financial plan.

https://soundernews.com/rdn-board-approves-8-6-increase-for-2025-budget/    

Gabriola Chamber of Commerce representatives Graham Bradley (President) and Erin Udal (Executive Director) appeared as a delegation to the RDN Board to request an additional $20,000 per year in funding for 2025 and 2026.

https://soundernews.com/gabriola-chamber-asking-regional-district-for-20000/     

A news article on my appointment to the Island Coastal Economic Trust Board https://pqbnews.com/2024/12/18/rdn-chair-craig-joins-island-coastal-economic-trust-board/   

Article on the challenge of youth soccer in having access to playing fields on Gabriola, and requesting access to the Rollo field. An agreement can be reached on playing when field conditions permit, recognizing the significant time and funding that has gone in to improving the fields for play https://soundernews.com/rdn-parks-staff-cautious-in-saying-youth-soccer-can-use-rollo/ 

Article highlighting the addition of the Wilkinson Woods property to the 707 park and the partnership between the RDN and GaLTT https://soundernews.com/78-acre-property-adjacent-to-707-purchased-by-galtt-and-rdn-for-parkland/ 

Article highlighting the addition of the Wilkinson Woods property to the 707 park and the partnership between the RDN and GaLTT https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/large-forested-area-added-to-gabriola-island-park-9718718  

Article highlighting the addition of the Wilkinson Woods property to the 707 park and the partnership between the RDN and GaLTT https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2024/10/24/rdn-expands-protected-land-with-purchase-of-forested-area-on-gabriola-island/ 

Article highlighting the addition of the Wilkinson Woods property to the 707 park and the partnership between the RDN and GaLTT https://cheknews.ca/exciting-opportunity-850k-in-parkland-added-to-gabriola-island-park-1220754/ 

GaLTT was an important partner in acquiring the new addition to the 707 community park, known as Wilkinson Woods. GaLTT recognized the acquisition https://galtt.ca/707-expansion-wilkinson-woods/  and participated in the celebration https://galtt.ca/celebration-of-707-addition-wilkinson-woods/ 

An article on the updated proposed location for a new EV charger on Gabriola https://cheknews.ca/south-gabriola-to-get-ev-charger-1202331/ 

An article covering the Board discussion when moving forward with an alternative approval process (AAP) to seek resident's approval of the creation of the new health and wellbeing coordinator service. https://soundernews.com/rdn-board-supports-alternative-approval-process-for-gabriola-health-and-wellbeing-service/ 

An article covering the Board discussion when moving forward with an alternative approval process (AAP) to seek resident's approval of the creation of the new health and wellbeing coordinator service. https://www.chly.ca/local-news/2023/11/23/gabriola-health-and-wellbeing-service-needs-voter-approval  

GaLTT celebrating the opening of the new Burnside Community Trail. https://galtt.ca/an-important-connection-opens/ 

I supported RDN staff reviewing the solar panel permitting process with the goal of reducing costs. https://soundernews.com/solar-panel-permitting-costs-to-be-examined-by-rdn-staff/ 

I expressed disappointment that the provincial response to an endorsed tiny home resolution did not address the underlying issue, which is that diversity in housing types is required    https://soundernews.com/provincial-response-to-tiny-homes-resolution-elicits-disappointment-from-local-elected-representatives/  

Article focussed on the delegation to the RDN Board by Steve Earle from GERTIE asking for a $30,000 increase in 2023 [I did support their request] https://nanaimobulletin.com/2023/01/14/engine-troubles-soaring-fuel-prices-have-gabriola-transit-asking-rdn-for-more-money/ 

A severe winter storm knocked out internet and phone for days with significant impacts to emergency and regular communications. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/phones-internet-out-across-gabriola-island-after-cable-downed-in-storm-1.6672558 

I discuss being elected as the first female board chair in the RDN’s 55-year history, and the growing age and gender diversity on local councils and Boards. https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2022/11/10/its-an-honour-rdn-elects-first-ever-female-board-chair/  

During the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board budget discussions, I was not in favour of the proposed budget which would result in a 9.89% increase for Area B. I asked to explore a lower increase, in the 7-7.5% increase range and get more information about what that would look like in terms of effects on service. That would allow a deeper discussion on the trade-offs between service level and taxation  https://cheknews.ca/gabriolas-director-wanted-to-explore-lower-library-levy-increase-1110649/ 

The opening celebrations of our new skatepark was a huge success! https://nanaimobulletin.com/2022/05/29/ribbon-cutting-held-for-skatepark-on-gabriola-island/ 

The opening celebrations of our new skatepark was a huge success! https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2022/05/28/new-gabriola-island-skateboard-park-officially-unveiled/ 

I supported an increase to the budget for the Huxley Park redevelopment  https://soundernews.com/huxley-park-redevelopment-budget-increase-approved/ 

Commenting on the new 40-acre addition to Cox Community Park,  I highlighted the benefit of official trail designations that keep local walkers off private land and busy public roads and indicated that future trail connectivity remains a significant interest for the local community. https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2022/02/21/gabriolas-cox-community-park-opens-huge-new-section-to-the-public/  

Celebrating the new 16.2-ha addition to Cox Community Park which was received through a park dedication associated with the Mallet Creek subdivision. https://cheknews.ca/expanded-area-of-gabriola-islands-cox-community-park-now-open-955212/ 

Article on the new 16.2-ha addition to Cox Community Park which was received through a park dedication associated with the Mallet Creek subdivision. https://nanaimobulletin.com/2022/02/17/new-piece-of-parkland-opens-on-gabriola-island/ 

The RDN was requested to accept waste from deep sea cargo freighters. I did not support the proposal, citing too many unknowns. https://pqbnews.com/2021/06/18/nanaimo-ponders-taking-on-waste-from-nearby-anchored-freighters/ 

The RDN adopted its 2021-22 budget and 2021-2025 financial plan. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021-22-rdn-budget-approved-gabriola-rates-up-4-for-average-home/article_d8638737-5bc8-5035-95c8-3419da329c35.html 

I made a Motion to increase the funding to GAC by $2500 per year. https://www.wellandtribune.ca/news/canada/rdn-director-puts-forward-funding-increase-for-gabriola-arts-council/article_5e275907-aed6-505e-aba9-8d3c5d6717f4.html 

Article highlighting the purchase of an additional 3.64 ha (near the Stanley Place entrance) to add to the 707, supported by GaLTT. https://cheknews.ca/rdn-expands-707-community-park-on-gabriola-island-708996/ 

With the grant of $567,354 received from the federal and provincial governments, our skatepark project was able to move forward! https://cheknews.ca/planned-skate-park-on-gabriola-island-receives-more-than-500000-in-funding-682634/ 

An article on the Village Way Path when it was approved by the Board - a "substantial investment in pedestrian architecture". https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2020/07/02/this-is-huge-for-us-new-gabriola-island-roadside-mobility-path-approved/

I was honoured to be elected to be the Vice Chair for the RDN Board. https://nanaimobulletin.com/2019/11/13/nanaimos-thorpe-stays-on-as-rdn-board-chair-gabriola-director-elected-vice-chair/