Welcome to Gabriola Island!

We at Coast Realty Gabriola Village would like to thank you for the opportunity to have worked with you. Our office is pleased to provide to you this handout including information relating to your move and services that you may find helpful. We will also arrange to have the Welcome Wagon pay you a visit. They will have additional brochures to leave with you and some gifts as well!

Before You Move In

BC Hydro and Power Authority: 1-800-224-9376
Change the hydro over to your name for the possession date.

Telus: 1 888 811-2323
Change the telephone over to your name for the possession date.

Shaw Cable: 250-760-1999

Insurance: Coast Realty Insurance 758-7653 — Home insurance should be in place for the date on which you give your funds to your lawyer. This ensures coverage for your new home, as completion can take place “on or before” the specified date

Mailing Address: Canada Post 247-8862 — You should arrange for your mailing address at the post office when you have an unconditional contract. Mailboxes are transferred over to new occupants through the Post Office. Or a mailbox in the post office may be available if preferred.

Salish Disposal (Zero Waste Garbage and recycling): 1-866-999-8227. Garbage and recycling are picked up on alternate weeks on alternate sides of the Island. Schedule for pick-up can be picked up at either Coast Realty or at the ‘Quick-Stop’ in the Folklife Village Mall. Please confirm which route applies to you. You should have a blue box, a blue plastic bag container for newspapers, etc.; and a yellow plastic bag container for cardboard, etc.; at your new home. If not, call Salish Disposal to replace them.

School: Gabriola Elementary: 247-9342. The Gabriola Elementary School teaches grades K to 7. High school students take the 8 o’clock ferry to Nanaimo. Students are bussed to high schools in Nanaimo. They are also bussed back to the ferry for the 3:45 sailing home. School bus service is also available on Gabriola for elementary students and high school students (to the ferry). Schedules are available through the school.

After You Move In

Welcome Wagon: Our Welcome Wagon hostess, Donna Thorvaldson, has a basket of community information with gifts and gift certificates from local merchants to help you to feel comfortable in your new community. She can be reached at 247-8654 or dthorv@shaw.ca

Mr. C Locksmith Service: 247-8484 or 616-6790 (cell). If after you move in you wish to have your home re-keyed or additional keys cut.

Septic Care: Septic maintenance is an essential part of rural living. Find further information on Maintenance & Operation of Sewage Disposal Systems.

Bottled drinking water: There is home delivery available for purified or distilled drinking water and water cooler installation. Purified and distilled water is also available at the local grocery store.

Chimney: If this is your first home with a chimney you will need to be aware of maintaining your chimney and keeping it safe. It is likely that your chimney was inspected prior to completing your purchase. Check with your insurance company regarding their requirements for chimney cleaning to keep yourself safe and insured.

Power Failures: Rural areas can experience power outages more frequently than urban areas. The causes vary. Power is fed to Gabriola from Cedar to Mudge Island to Gabriola. Keep in mind that Hydro crews are not stationed on the Islands and must travel over to repair any problem. Do not run your water when the power is out as there will be no pump to replace the water into your system. Should you run your water during the outage and find it does not come back when the power comes back on, you may need to reset your pressure tank. Call your plumber for advice. There is some additional information provided through BC Hydro offering helpful advice and tips on being prepared and remaining comfortable during a power outage.