Elections and Referendums

In the 2018 municipal election, residents of Victoria and Saanich voted in favour of exploring the costs, benefits and disadvantages of amalgamation of the two municipalities through a citizens' assembly process.

In July 2025, the Victoria-Saanich Citizens' Assembly provided its recommendations for amalgamation to both municipalities.

Learn about the work of the Citizens’ Assembly and read their final report to understand why the assembly believes the two communities should amalgamate.
 

October 2014 - During the 2014 General Local Elections, both Victoria and Saanich conducted community opinion questions asking residents if they were in favour of exploring amalgamation or integration. In both municipalities, residents voted in favour of exploring these concepts further. 

October 2018 - During the 2018 General Local Elections, both Victoria and Saanich residents were asked the following community opinion question: “Are you in favour of spending up to $250,000 for establishing a Citizens’ Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria?” 

A majority of voters in both municipalities supported the proposal. Victoria, Saanich and the Province each contributed approximately $250,000 to undertake this work. The work was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2024-2025 – Work resumed in 2024 with the establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly, supported by MASS LBP and guided by a Terms of Reference approved by both Councils. The Citizens’ Assembly was composed of 48 randomly selected residents from Victoria and Saanich. It met for eight, full-day sessions between September 2024 and April 2025. 

April 2025 - The Assembly concluded its deliberations on April 5, 2025, announcing its recommendation that the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich amalgamate into a single municipality.

July 2025 - The Citizens’ Assembly’s Final Report and findings were presented to Council. At the July 31, 2025 Daytime Council Meeting, Council passed the following resolution: “That Council receive the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly – Final Report submission for information and direct staff to work with their counterparts in Saanich to craft a short question to be placed on the 2026 local election ballot in both municipalities, and to report back to Council with that question and any other information staff deem relevant, including whether the public needs more information in order to make an informed decision.”

October 2025 - The mayors of Victoria and Saanich jointly requested provincial authorization to hold a referendum in each municipality during the 2026 General Local Elections. 

April 2026 – The Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs informed the City and District of Saanich that a referendum would only be considered following additional analysis of the financial, transitional and service impacts of amalgamation, and consultation with area First Nations.

July 2026 – Victoria and Saanich Councils decide to move forward with the same non-binding question on their ballots: "Do you support Saanich and Victoria becoming one municipality?"

October 2026 – Local government elections are held across B.C. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. 

To run for a seat on Victoria City Council, candidates must be:

• a Canadian citizen  
• 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day
• a resident of B.C. for at least six months before the day nomination papers are filed, and  
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment.

Note: You do not need to be a City of Victoria resident to run for Council. 

Nomination documents will be available here in August 2026.  

To be nominated, a candidate must:  

• Consent to the nomination  
• Submit nomination documents
• Be nominated by at least 25 nominators (a nominator must be eligible to vote in Victoria as a resident elector or as a non-resident property elector)*
• Pay a $100 refundable deposit when submitting nomination documents (refunded when a candidate files their Financial Disclosure Statement after the election)
• Submit a Financial Disclosure Statement that identifies corporate and personal holdings (the statement is part of the nomination documents)

*An elector can act as a nominator for more than one candidate but must not nominate more candidates than there are positions to be filled during the election. 

The nomination period opens Sept. 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. and closes on Sept. 11, 2026 at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.  

The Chief Election Officer accepts nomination documents only during the nomination period. 

Candidates can submit their nomination documents to the Chief Election Officer by:  

• Email: elections@victoria.ca
• Mail: Legislative Services, City of Victoria, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6
• In person: Legislative Services at Victoria City Hall, weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (please use the Pandora Avenue or Centennial Square entrance) 

Candidates can pay their nomination deposit:  

• In-person at the Public Service Centre at Victoria City Hall, weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Methods of payment include debit, cash, cheque and credit card.  
• By e-transfer. (Details to come).  

Note: Please include the payment receipt when submitting your nomination documents.  

Elections BC administers, investigates and enforces campaign financing, third-party sponsor and election advertising provisions under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

Information can be found on the Elections BC website, including online learning modules regarding:

• Campaign Financing
• Electoral Organizations
• Third-Party Advertising 

Candidates must only post signs during the “campaign period” which is 28 days before and four days after General Voting Day (Oct. 17, 2026). This year’s campaign signage timeframe is Sept. 19 to Oct. 21, 2026.  

Anyone placing an election sign must follow the rules outlined in the City’s Sign Bylaw.  

The Province of B.C. has additional information about running for local office.