About Us

Our Story

The Galiano Affordable Living Initiative (GALI) Society was incorporated as a non-profit society in March 2020 with the goal of “building and managing affordable rental housing for low and moderate income residents of Galiano Island.”

The critical need for secure, comfortable, affordable rental homes on Galiano Island has been recognized and well-documented by the Capital Regional District and by the Islands Trust. Historically, the rental housing market on Galiano has relied on private properties, rentals which don’t provide security for renters. Whenever a property is sold, or when there is a change in the landlord’s family situation, a tenancy can end abruptly.

We want to provide an alternative that’s not just affordable, but is also secure, sustainable, reliable, well-managed, and purpose built.
Aside from the Page Drive seniors housing development, there are currently no secure affordable rental housing options on the island.

Community Benefit

In addition to creating local employment opportunities throughout the construction phase of development, the entire community benefits when more of our population has secure housing. Comfortable, affordable, year-round rental housing encourages a thriving and diverse population of all ages and varied means.

Secure housing increases the amount that individuals and families can put toward other important household needs and savings for the future while also contributing to the local economy. With stable housing, residents will have more opportunity to participate in community activities, including employment, education, volunteer, and social opportunities that may not otherwise be possible. Housing security promotes improved quality of life and helps create a stable environment for children, contributing to improved educational outcomes.

GALI’s Board of Directors

In June of 2020, GALI signed a letter of agreement with New Commons Development’s Small Communities Initiative. New Commons Development, (NCD), is an established non-profit affordable housing developer.

NCD works collaboratively with local organizations to oversee all phases of a project including feasibility, design, planning approvals, development and operating budgets, and construction. Upon successful completion of a project the homes are owned and managed by the local community organization, in this case GALI.

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Mike Hoebel

Acting President

Mike is a long-time resident of Galiano Island. He is a retired provincial civil servant and a former university professor and school science teacher. In addition to serving on the GALI board, Mike is on the boards of the Galiano Chamber of Commerce, Galiano Health Care Society, and Galiano Community Loan Fund.

Barb Grehan

Treasurer

After decades as a seasonal visitor, Barb is delighted to be in her fourth year as a full-time island resident and to support the local community’s longstanding effort to develop the affordable rental housing foundational to social justice and Galiano’s continued vitality.

Colleen Doty

Secretary

Colleen is a writer and historical researcher living on Galiano Island. With an MA in Canadian First Nations History she has over twenty years’ experience working with the federal government as a project manager, senior research analyst and consultant. Three generations of her family call Galiano Island their full-time home.

Joanne Randle

Joanne is a Coach and Facilitator with a focus on life transitions and grief support. Past volunteer experience includes Chair of the Board of AMES, which works to empower marginalized youth; Coach for The New Leaf Project, an organization using innovative strategies to empower individuals to break the cycle of homelessness; and over 20 years in Palliative Care and Bereavement Support.

George Harris

George arrived on Galiano in 1982 from his busy sail charter business in the Caribbean. He built and ran The Hummingbird Pub and Restaurant during the 80s. A documentary producer/director career was next. This led to creating/running a film school for 20 years. He then served 4 years as island Trustee until 2018. He now skippers his charter sailboat. He has served as a board member of Galiano housing societies for 10 years.

Carol Guin

Carol is a resident of Page Drive, (affordable housing for seniors), and a neighbour of the Galiano Green site. Since 1995 Carol has been involved with many non-profit organizations including GIRR, The Galiano Club, The Emergency Program, Galiano Library, AMES, and various artist groups and shows. Until she was able to find an affordable place to live in 1999, she did a fair amount of house sitting.

Théa Bridge-Battle

Théa recently completed the SGI Community Development Leaders program for those seeking hands-on experience with local non-profit organizations and a career based in the Southern Gulf Islands. Personally affected by the lack of affordable, secure housing on Galiano, Théa believes she brings a different perspective to the GALI Board and a strong voice informed by immersion in the Galiano community.

Neil Dawe

While growing up in the nearby town of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Neil fell in love with Galliano’s unique community and natural beauty. After nearly a decade of post-secondary education and recently completing his law degree at the University of New Brunswick, Neil has returned to British Columbia and is currently working as an articled student at a law firm practicing real estate. Neil hopes to serve Galiano’s community and be a part of building affordable housing for its residents.

Elizabeth May

Elizabeth May served as Leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2006 – 2019, in 2011 becoming the Green Party of Canada’s first elected Member of Parliament representing Saanich-Gulf Islands. She will continue as Member of Parliament, serving as the Parliamentary Leader of the Green Caucus.

In 2005, Elizabeth May was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her decades of leadership in the Canadian environmental movement. She graduated from Dalhousie Law School and was admitted to the Bar in both Nova Scotia and Ontario. She practiced law in Ottawa with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre prior to becoming Senior Policy Advisor to the federal minister of the Environment (1986-1988). For seventeen years Elizabeth served as Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada (1989-2006).

A proud mother and grandmother, she lives in Sidney, British Columbia, with her husband John Kidder. Elizabeth is the author of eight books, including her most recent book, Who We Are: Reflections on my life and on Canada.

Andrew Loveridge

Andrew was Born in England and holds a BA in languages from Trent University. He has lived on Galiano since 1979 and has volunteered in many different capacities over that time. He has run the Cabra Gallery Museum since 1989; served as Hospital Trustee; Director and former President of the Chamber of Commerce; Infocentre person; President of the Gulf Islands Historical Society; Galiano Club Historian (1991-1999) and Director of Galiano Museum Society. He was also active with the Mount Galiano, Bodega Ridge and Matthews Point preservation campaigns and has served as Secretary as well as being a founding member of the Galiano Trails Society and served ten years as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Andrew has been active in the cause of non-profit housing since 2011.

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Galiano Affordable Living Initiative Society -- #6 - 33 Manzanita Rd. - Galiano Island, BC. V0N 1P0 -- galishousing@gmail.com