Preserving
a piece of Victoria.
Linda, Eric and Emma Gilbert received a Heritage Recognition Award for their care of the historic Main Street property that houses Island Chocolates.
PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation ↗MUNICIPAL ELECTION · NOVEMBER 2, 2026
Energy.
Integrity.
& Enthusiasm.
Eric Gilbert
↘Candidate for Mayor
Victoria, Prince Edward Island
ROOTED HERE.
LOOKING AHEAD.
LOOKING AHEAD.
Energy to do the work, integrity to do it right and enthusiasm about our community’s future.
Explore the conversation →ON THE AGENDAResponsible Spending and Financial Transparency ↗Fair and Accountable Municipal Purchasing ↗Making the Most of Funding Opportunities ↗Efficient and Professional Municipal Administration ↗Respectful, Fair and Accountable Governance ↗Planning Ahead and Protecting Victoria's Future ↗
01 MEET ERIC
Photo supplied by EricA life connected to Victoria.
Chocolatier. Entrepreneur. Firefighter. Active community member.
Eric grew up in Victoria and has spent the past 46 years working with the family business and is active in many community organizations. The family’s business became Island Chocolates, in the former general store on Main Street.
Eric and his sister Emma have taken active roles in chocolate-making and the family business. Their work also involves caring for a building that is part of Victoria’s history.
Eric commits to a positive campaign focused on Victoria’s future. His aim is a constructive conversation about the work ahead and the community we want to build together.
From Main Street to further afield +
Island Chocolates describes Eric’s work with cacao farmers in Ecuador, beginning with a visit as a Trent University student in 2005. He helped with chocolate-processing facilities and workshops alongside an association of Kichwa communities.
At home, the Gilbert family’s preservation work has received formal heritage recognition. Eric has also contributed to municipal planning and emergency preparedness.
Chocolate and community work ↗The Gilbert family story ↗SHOWING UP FOR THE COMMUNITY
Experience in service of the community.
Eric brings 18 years of experience as a firefighter (NFPA 1001) and is a medical first responder. He was named Firefighter of the Year in 2021. He has Basic Emergency Management, Incident Command, and Hazardous Materials Awareness certificates from the PEI Fire School.
His municipal experience includes four years as a member of council and former chair roles with the Planning Board, Water and Sewer, and Emergency Measures Committee.
Eric is a founding member of the Victoria Historical Association.
Service & experience +
- 18 years as a firefighter
- Firefighter of the Year, 2021
- Medical first responder
- 4 years as a member of council
- Former chair, Planning Board
- Former chair, Water and Sewer
- Former chair, Emergency Measures Committee
IN THE COMMUNITY DOCUMENTED CONTRIBUTIONS
Preserving
Planning,
together.
The May 2024 municipal update credits Eric as Planning Committee chair, alongside the committee and former CAO, in completing the updated Official Plan and Development Bylaw.
May 2024 municipal update ↗Preparing for
the unexpected.
The September 2024 update thanks Eric and the Emergency Measures Planning Committee, the CAO and a provincial official for developing Victoria’s emergency plan.
September 2024 municipal update ↗THE PLACE WE CALL HOME
A village with
its own character.
The old general store. The harbour. The streets between them.
Victoria’s heritage is part of everyday life: buildings still in use, local businesses and places where people meet. Thinking about the future means considering how that character can sit alongside changing needs.
Explore Victoria’s planning documents ↗A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ERIC
Curiosity.
A sense of adventure.
Beyond his public service, a few moments from Eric’s own photo collection.
02 VICTORIA’S FUTURE
My Priorities
for Victoria
I believe Victoria deserves a municipal government that makes responsible decisions, treats people fairly, plans ahead, and gets things done.
Good intentions are important, but they must be backed by practical action. These are areas where I believe we can make meaningful progress, with clear goals and a commitment to keeping residents informed.
Read my full plan →010203040506
Responsible Spending and Financial Transparency
Making every municipal dollar count.
Fair and Accountable Municipal Purchasing
Clear rules. Fair competition. Proper oversight.
Making the Most of Funding Opportunities
Looking beyond local tax dollars.
Efficient and Professional Municipal Administration
Getting the procedures right so we can get things done.
Respectful, Fair and Accountable Governance
Different opinions. Equal treatment. A shared commitment to Victoria.
Planning Ahead and Protecting Victoria's Future
Protecting what makes our community special.
03 THE PUBLIC RECORD
OMBUDSPEI · OCTOBER 23, 2026
The Ombudsperson’s
findings.
Read the independent report on Victoria’s complaint handling.
Read the full report ↗What the report addresses
Procedural fairness and municipal decisions—not whether the underlying conduct allegations were true. These are not judicial findings of liability or bad faith.
Five findings & recommended remedies +
- The September 2025 sanctions breached law and natural justice.
- The mayor unreasonably delayed Eric’s return after the suspension was rescinded.
- Disqualification after resignation was unreasonable; future eligibility was misrepresented.
- Workplace restrictions were disproportionate, without the warranted independent investigation.
- Council unreasonably declined to consider Eric’s complaints against the mayor.
The report recommends rescinding the purported disqualification, correcting official and public records, a written apology to Eric, and a public apology to residents.
8 Sep 2025 Sanctions imposed.
6 Oct 2025 Suspension rescinded; return delayed.
8 Dec 2025 Resignation, then purported disqualification.
23 Oct 2026 Report published.
04 ELECTION INFORMATION
Your vote. Your village.
Official election notice ↗ADVANCE POLL
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
4:30–7:30 p.m.
ELECTION DAY
Monday, November 2, 2026
9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
BOTH POLLS AT
The Old School
730 Victoria Road, Victoria, PE C0A 1J0
Bring identification. Consult the official notice for eligibility and accepted documents. All times are local to Prince Edward Island.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING