The Southern Gulf Islands
Located in the protected waters of the Strait of Georgia, the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area (SGIEA) is composed of more than seventy islands. The electoral area stretches from Galiano Island to D'Arcy Island, encompassing 216 square kilometres.
Communities
The SGIEA population of just over 5,000 is concentrated on the five largest islands, with only a scattering on smaller surrounding islands. Many of the other islands and islets are uninhabited. Surrounding islands 
Galiano Island
Rich in history and beauty, Galiano is home to just over 1, 000 people. It retains an undeveloped, wild beauty, due in large part to the work of dedicated residents in preserving and protecting tracts of wilderness that extend along the island's narrow, 19-mile (30-km) length.
Home to over 130 species of birds and many rare and protected plants, the island has several ecological reserves and the largest area dedicated as park land of all the Southern Gulf Islands. These eco-sensitive areas will be preserved in perpetuity by the Galiano community for future generations.
Most of the island amenities and small businesses, including grocery stores, a gas station, a few stores and craft galleries are clustered at the south end of the island.
Mayne Island
Home to 900 year-round residents, this 21-square-kilometre island is an abundant mix of wild and cultivated beauty. Douglas-fir, grand fir, western red cedar, alder, maple and arbutus trees cover most of the island, interspersed with heritage orchards and farmlands, edged by warm, rock-strewn beaches. Over 250 varieties of wildflowers grow on Mayne, and abundant wild blackberries are a summer staple for wildlife and people alike.
Miners Bay was a regular stopover point for fortune seekers on their way across Georgia Strait to mainland BC during the Cariboo and Fraser River Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, and today, Miner’s Bay is still the island’s bustling commercial centre.
North and South Pender Islands
The Penders are the most populated of the Southern Gulf Islands with approximately 2, 500 year-round residents. Composed of two islands that were once joined, North Pender is more populated, and South Pender more rural. Together, these 36 square-kilometre islands feature more than 84 kilometres of undulating coastline.
Community life and wildlife co-exist here. A community market, coffee shops, small shopping centre, museum, 9-hole golf course, as well as a 27-hole disc golf course are just a few of the amenities and attractions nestled amongst rich forest and intertidal ecosystems. Bald eagles, hummingbirds, orca whales, deer, arbutus trees, fawn lilies and rattlesnake orchids are among the many native species of plant and animal life that thrive in the Pender Islands' varied ecosystems.
Saturna Island
The most easterly of the Gulf Islands, Saturna is remote, sparsely populated, and tremendously beautiful. Home to 350 year-round residents, much of the population is centred around Lyall Harbour and Boot Cove, with a few homes scattered throughout the island.
Saturna’s 31 square kilometres range from forest, wetland, mud flats, rock bluffs, reefs and beaches to vineyard on the south side of the island. Saturna hosts over 180 bird species, and abundant marine life encircles the island. River otters, seals, sea lions bask on the warm rocks and Orca whales are often spotted in the waters off East Point.
First Nations Reserve Lands
First Nations Reserve Lands on Galiano and Mayne islands, as well as some Reserve Lands within the municipalities of the Saanich Peninsula, are included for purposes of representation in the regional government in the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area. These reserves are:
- Native Reserve Union Bay 4 - Tseycum Band
- Native Reserve Cole Bay 3 - Pauquachin Band
- Native Reserve South Saanich 1 - Tsartlip Band
- Native Reserve East Saanich 2 - Tsawout Band
- Native Reserve Galiano Island 9 - Penelakut Band
- Native Reserve Mayne Island 6 - Tsartlip Band
© Images courtesy of Jase Rollins, Elli S., Mary Sanseverino, John Nickel & Jonathan Sloan