Area B: Halfmoon Bay
Population: 2,969 (2021 Census)
Growth rate: 8.9% (2016 Census)
Dwellings: 1,370 occupied private dwellings
Area: 1,271 sq. Km.
Voting strength of elected official: 2
The Halfmoon Bay Area is located northwest of the District of Sechelt. Stretching along the coast from Sargeant Bay on its southern perimeter, the area includes Porpoise Bay from Tuwanek to the Skookumchuk, Salmon and Narrows Inlet, Redrooffs, Welcome Woods, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove and Wood Bay, which marks the northern perimeter of the area. Gentle bays and coves provide several protected harbours for marine traffic; the area includes several parks as well as diving spots, hiking and mountain biking trails.
Electoral Area B also includes the Trail Islands, Merry Island, Franklin Island, North Thormanby Island, South Thormanby Island, Bertha Island, Capri Isle, France Islet, Grant Island, Jack Tolmie Island and Turnagain Island. Land use planning for these islands is the responsibility the Islands Trust.
The commercial areas of Halfmoon Bay include a store and nursery at the south end of Redrooffs Road, at Welcome Woods; and a store, bakery, art gallery and nursery in the north end by the pier. The Secret Cove area is home to several marinas, three restaurants and a large resort. The Halfmoon Bay Elementary School includes a day care facility that serves local residents.
Director Justine Gabias
Justine was born and raised in Trois-Rivières, Québec, and ended up on the Sunshine Coast by way of Calgary and Vancouver. She moved to Halfmoon Bay with her partner in the Spring of 2020, where, in spite of the pandemic, she discovered an incredible community and an unparalleled quality of life.
It quickly became clear that the Sunshine Coast was going through a transformation in front of her eyes: increase in land development, demographics change, a housing crisis, and extreme weather events affecting our water supply. This was a time to think outside the box, and to make bold decisions with the next seven generations in mind. She decided to run for the position of Area Director to address the urgent issue of climate change, promote sustainable and responsible development, and make the Sunshine Coast a healthy and equitable place to live for current residents and future generations.
Serving on the Board of Directors is a great honor, and she strives to be an effective director by drawing on her community-building skills, creative thinking and collaborative working style.
Justine holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr University, and an Organic Farming Certificate from KPU’s Tsawwassen Farm School. She worked in the post-secondary sector for eight years, with a focus on student wellness and community building. Nowadays, she splits her time between constituency work, growing produce and flowers for her neighborhood, and visiting every farm stand she can find.
Contact: justine.gabias@scrd.ca