The Sunshine Coast is divided into distinct electoral areas with different bylaws, services and taxes.  It is important to know in which area you live or operate a business so that you know where to go for information and assistance.

The Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt, Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Sechelt Indian Government District, and Powell River District including the City of Powell River, all have their own councils and handle administration for their respective areas.  

Although Keats and Gambier Islands are part of the Islands Trust, they are in Area F of the Sunshine Coast Regional District for some municipal matters.

Scroll down this page for a quick overview of the local/regional governments and quick links to the government of BC and government of Canada websites.

PO Box 340
474 South Fletcher Road
Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0
Phone 604-886-2274
Fax 604-886-9735
http://www.gibsons.ca

The Town of Gibsons is responsible for providing tax collection and bylaws,
maintaining public works, planning services and financial services.

Area Size: 4.32 square km (1.7 sq. mi or 440 hectares)
Population: 4,205 (BC Stats estimate, 2004)
Structure: Mayor and four Councillors elected for 3-year terms
Neighbourhoods: the Landing (Lower Gibsons) the Centre (Upper Gibsons)
Official Community Plan

PO Box 129
2nd floor, 5797 Cowrie Street
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Phone 604-885-1986
Fax 604-885-7591
Direct Line from Vancouver (604) 689-1680
http://www.district.sechelt.bc.ca

Primary District services include public works, planning, parks, engineering, sewer treatment, financial administration and tax collection.  The District is responsible for policing services, tourism information, library services and recreational and cultural activities.

Area Size: 39.71 square km (15.3 sq. mi or 3,962 hectares)
Population: 8,488 (BC Stats estimate, 2004)
Structure: Mayor and six Councillors elected for 3-year terms
Neighbourhoods: Downtown/Village, Davis Bay, Wilson Creek, West Sechelt, East Porpoise Bay, West Porpoise Bay, Sandy Hook, Tuwanek
Official Community Plan

1975 Field Road, Wilson Creek
P.O. Box 800
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Phone 604-885-2261
Fax 604-885-7909
http://www.scrd.ca
Building Department Fax 604-885-8890

The SCRD office is located on Field Road in Wilson Creek. Administration, Finance, Infrastructure Services, Building Inspection, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development, Property Information and Mapping Services, Transit and Emergency programs.

Area Size: 3,778 square km (1,458.7 sq. mi or 377,817 hectares)
Population: 25,599 (Census 2001)
Structure: Eight directors elected for a 3-year term, five from each of the unincorporated electoral areas, and three appointed from the incorporated areas of Sechelt, Gibsons, and Sechelt Indian Government District  

The following unincorporated areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Sunshine Coast Regional District:
Area A: Pender Harbour (Francis Peninsula, Madeira Park, Garden Bay, Irvines Landing, Egmont)
Area B: Halfmoon Bay, including Secret Cove
Area D: Roberts Creek
Area E: Elphinstone, including Gower Point
Area F: West Howe Sound (Port Mellon, Williamsons Landing, Langdale, Hopkins Landing, Granthams Landing)

Official Community Plans are available by area on the website under Departments/Planning.

PO Box 740
5555 Sunshine Coast Highway
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Phone 604-885-2273
Fax 604-885-3490
http://www.secheltnation.ca/

In 1986 the Sechelts became the first indigenous band in Canada to attain self-government, developing its own constitution and withdrawing the lands of the reserve from the Indian Act.  The Sechelt Indian Band Council is the governing body of the Band, and its members are elected in accordance with the Band's constitution.  The SIGD acts much like a municipality offering services such as planning, paved roads, sewers and garbage pickup.  The land area under the jurisdiction of the SIGD includes a residential area called "Seshelt", where most of the band members live, and a number of other small areas of land.

Population: 795 (Census 2001)
Structure: Chief and four Councillors elected for 3-year terms

The Powell River Regional District (PRRD) is a quiet, rural region with a population of around 19,000. Located at the north end of the Sunshine Coast, its boundaries stretch from Jervis Inlet in the south to Toba Inlet in the north. The area encompasses several mainland rural communities, the Sliammon First Nation, a small section of the Sechelt Indian Government District lands, the City of Powell River and Lasqueti, Texada, Savary and Hernando Islands.

City of Powell River
6910 Duncan Street
Powell River BC  V8A 1V4
Phone: 604 485-6291
Fax:  604 485-2913
Email: info@cdpr.bc.ca

Powell River Regional District
5776 Marine Avenue,  
Powell River, B.C. V8A 2M4
Phone (604) 483-3231
Fax (604) 483-2229
E-mail: administration@powellriverrd.bc.ca

The official website of the Province of British Columbia offers a wealth of information for the people of British Columbia. A section for Residents provides access to the newest and most popular online government services and information resources.

The Provincial Government Agent for the Sunshine Coast provides convenient local access to BC government services and information.

Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Nicholas Simons, Powell River-Sunshine Coast NDP
PO Box 65, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0

5654 Cowrie Street
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
604-885-5001
http://www.nicholassimons.ca

The official website of the Government of Canada has current information on healthcare, taxes, government benefits and services and time-saving online tools.

Moving to the Sunshine Coast from outside Canada? The Immigration section can answer your questions and offers relevant forms online.