MUNICIPAL ELECTION · NOVEMBER 2, 2026

Energy.
Integrity.
& Enthusiasm.

Eric Gilbert

Candidate for Mayor
Victoria, Prince Edward Island

Aerial view of Victoria, Prince Edward Island, with its church, streets and harbour — VICTORIA, PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDA place worth caring for.

ROOTED HERE.
LOOKING AHEAD.

Energy to do the work, integrity to do it right, and enthusiasm about our community’s future.

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 ↗

MEET ERIC

Photo supplied by Eric

A life connected to Victoria.

Chocolatier. Entrepreneur. Firefighter. Active community member.

Eric grew up in Victoria, 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 ↗

Read the family history ↗

SHOWING UP FOR THE COMMUNITY

Experience in service of the community.

Eric brings 18 years of experience as a firefighter (NFPA 1001), is a medical first responder, and 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

Eric wearing a helmet, breathing apparatus and firefighting coat — Photo supplied by Eric

IN THE COMMUNITYDOCUMENTED CONTRIBUTIONS

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 ↗

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 a unique character.

The old General Store. The historic properties. Our shared history.

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 ↗

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 →

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.

Former Victoria councillor is eligible to run as mayor — and is owed an apology, says OmbudsPEI

CBC News reports on the Ombudsperson’s findings and Eric’s response.

Read the CBC story ↗

October 27, 2026 · CBC News · Video

There’s a race for mayor in Victoria, says P.E.I.’s ombudsperson

Watch the video segment on CBC.

Watch on CBC ↗

There’s a race for mayor in Victoria, says P.E.I.’s ombudsperson

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

The report focused on 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 and 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 2025Sanctions imposed.

6 Oct 2025Suspension rescinded; return delayed.

8 Dec 2025Resignation, then purported disqualification.

23 Oct 2026Report published.

Findings, pp. 14–15 ↗

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ERIC