Westshore 2026 municipal election guide: candidates, where to vote

General voting day is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Voting places are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Elections BC (opens in a new tab), Province of B.C. voter's guide (opens in a new tab))

Every West Shore municipality also holds advance voting on Wednesday, October 7, and each one adds at least one more advance day. Details for each town are below. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. The order on your ballot may be different. (Elections BC (opens in a new tab), Province of B.C. voter's guide (opens in a new tab))

Last updated: October 4, 2026. Spot something wrong? Tell us at hello@news.thewestshore.ca.

Can I vote.

You can vote as a resident if you are 18 or older on voting day, a Canadian citizen, have lived in B.C. for at least six months, and live in the municipality. People who own property in a municipality but live elsewhere in B.C. may be able to vote there as a non-resident property elector. (Province of B.C. (opens in a new tab), Langford voter information (opens in a new tab))

Not on the voters list? You can register when you vote. Bring two pieces of ID that together show who you are and where you live, and at least one must have your signature. Photo ID is not required. (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab), View Royal voter information (opens in a new tab))

Langford, View Royal, Highlands and Sooke offer curbside voting if you cannot go inside the voting place. In Colwood and Metchosin, call the municipality to ask about help voting. (Langford (opens in a new tab), View Royal (opens in a new tab), Highlands (opens in a new tab), Sooke (opens in a new tab))

Langford.

Mayor (1 seat), 2 candidates

Scott Goodmanson, Stew Young (City of Langford Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Council (6 seats), 16 candidates

Shawn Blair, Jennifer Dunnett, Lisa Foxall, Brandy Gordon, Kimberley Guiry, Colby Harder, Bryson Hill, Trevor Hinton, Wendy Hobbs, Andrew Jackson, Alex McLeod, Michael Mortimore, Matt Sahlstrom, Tanya Sunshine, Mary Wagner, Keith Yacucha (City of Langford Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Langford votes for four Sooke School District (SD62) trustees. See the SD62 section below. (City of Langford Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab), SD62 Trustee Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eagle Ridge Community Centre, 1089 Langford Parkway (dry floor arena space). (Langford voter information (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at any of: Ruth King Elementary, 2764 Jacklin Road; Millstream Elementary, 626 Hoylake Avenue; Happy Valley Elementary, 3291 Happy Valley Road; PEXSISEN Elementary, 3100 Constellation Avenue. (Langford voter information (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Available. Applications had to be received by Oct. 6. Completed ballots must reach Langford City Hall by 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 (24/7 drop box outside City Hall, 877 Goldstream Avenue). (Langford voter information (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

Property taxes. Former mayor Stew Young is campaigning to lower taxes after what he calls more than 55% in accumulated increases this term. Mayor Scott Goodmanson says earlier low rates leaned on amenity funds and that growth required more police and firefighters. (Times Colonist, Oct. 3 (opens in a new tab))
Traffic. Young says he would work with the province and B.C. Transit on HOV and bus-priority lanes. Goodmanson points to the city's new transportation and other master plans. (Times Colonist, Oct. 3 (opens in a new tab))
Planning and growth. Goodmanson's council refreshed the Official Community Plan with connected master plans; the city's population is estimated at about 60,000. (Times Colonist, Oct. 3 (opens in a new tab))

Colwood.

Mayor (1 seat), 3 candidates

Cynthia Day, Doug Kobayashi, Rob Martin (City of Colwood, Meet the Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Council (6 seats), 9 candidates

Harold Bloomenthal, Terrilynn Gee, David Grove, Kim Jordison, Deborah Law, Misty Olsen, Jennifer Parlee, Eugene Tseng, Ian Ward (City of Colwood, Meet the Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Colwood votes for four SD62 trustees. See below. (City of Colwood, Meet the Candidates (opens in a new tab), SD62 Trustee Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Council Chambers, Colwood City Hall, 3300 Wishart Road. (City of Colwood, Elections (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Council Chambers, Colwood City Hall, 3300 Wishart Road. (City of Colwood, Elections (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Not listed on the City's election page. Check with the City of Colwood: 250-478-5999. (City of Colwood, Elections (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

Traffic and transportation. Especially commuter congestion on Veterans Memorial Parkway and Sooke Road. (Times Colonist, Aug. 26 (opens in a new tab), Island Social Trends, Sept. 13 (opens in a new tab))
Property taxes and transparency. Former mayor Rob Martin has raised the cost and number of council code of conduct investigations; Mayor Doug Kobayashi says in-camera sessions protect privacy. (Times Colonist, Aug. 26 (opens in a new tab))
Health care. The City opened a city-leased clinic in January 2025 with doctors hired as municipal employees. (Times Colonist, Aug. 26 (opens in a new tab))
Aging infrastructure and long-term planning. (Island Social Trends, Sept. 13 (opens in a new tab))

All-candidates event: Colwood Election Town Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7 to 9 p.m., Anglican Church of the Advent parish hall, 510 Mount View Avenue. (Church of the Advent (opens in a new tab))

View Royal.

Mayor (1 seat), 5 candidates

Anna Becker, Volker Dammann, Teodora Kristof, Ryan Painter, David Screech (Town of View Royal Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Council (6 seats), 12 candidates

Don Brown, Sacha Christensen, Carolynne Clark, Spencer Dixon, Diane Fownes, Cam Harris, Jay Josh, Gery Lemon, Sean MacKenzie, Owen Marshall, Ron Mattson, Amy McCooey (Town of View Royal Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Also on the ballot: a non-binding question: "Are you in favour of allowing short-term rentals in the Town of View Royal, if they are conducted in alignment with Provincial legislation?" (View Royal (opens in a new tab))

Most View Royal voters elect one Area 3 trustee for Greater Victoria School District 61. A few properties near McKenzie Lake vote in SD62. (View Royal (opens in a new tab), SD61 2026 election (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 13, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., View Royal Town Hall, 45 View Royal Avenue. (Town of View Royal, Candidates and Mail Ballot Information (opens in a new tab), View Royal voter information (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: View Royal Elementary, 218 Helmcken Road, or Eagle View Elementary, 97 Talcott Road. (Town of View Royal, Candidates and Mail Ballot Information (opens in a new tab), View Royal voter information (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Available. Oct. 6 was the last day packages go out by mail; packages must be picked up at Town Hall by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Return to Town Hall by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, or to the Chief Election Officer at View Royal Elementary by 8 p.m. Oct. 17. (Town of View Royal, Candidates and Mail Ballot Information (opens in a new tab), View Royal voter information (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

Traffic congestion. View Royal sits between the core and the rest of the West Shore. (Times Colonist, Sept. 22 (opens in a new tab))
Housing, business development and the Six Mile corridor. (Times Colonist, Sept. 22 (opens in a new tab))
Short-term rentals. Short-term rentals are the subject of the ballot question. (View Royal (opens in a new tab))
Turnout. 29% of eligible voters cast ballots in 2022. (Times Colonist, Sept. 22 (opens in a new tab))

Metchosin.

Mayor (1 seat), 3 candidates

Steve Gray, Marie-Térèse Little, Shawn Melinchuk (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab))

Council (4 seats), 7 candidates

Shelly Donaldson, Ellen Frisch, Kyara Kahakauwila, Mattie McMillan, Mark Muldoon, Jesse Pewarchuk, Eric White (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab))

Metchosin votes for four SD62 trustees. See below. (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab), SD62 Trustee Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Metchosin Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road. (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Metchosin School, 4495 Happy Valley Road. (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Not listed on the District's election pages. Check with the District of Metchosin: 250-474-3167. (District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

A new post-disaster fire hall. A project of roughly $16 million with close to $10 million in grants secured. (Goldstream News Gazette, Sept. 14 (opens in a new tab))
Finances. The District's chief financial officer has cautioned that Metchosin could face an annual deficit of about $1.3 million after 2030 on current projections. (Goldstream News Gazette, Sept. 14 (opens in a new tab))
Protecting rural and agricultural land. (Goldstream News Gazette, Sept. 14 (opens in a new tab))

Highlands.

Mayor (1 seat), 2 candidates

Gord Baird, Ken Williams (District of Highlands Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Council (6 seats), 9 candidates

Justin Allen, Leslie Anderson, Ann Baird, Ken Brotherston, Marie Brotherston, Patrick Harriott, Rob Justice, Marcie McLean, Karel Roessingh (District of Highlands Declaration of Election by Voting, Sept. 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Highlands voters elect SD62 (Belmont zone) or SD61 trustees depending on address. (Highlands (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Highlands Fire Department (East Fire Hall), 3613 Woodridge Place, and Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Highlands Community Hall, 729 Finlayson Arm Road, both 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Highlands (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Highlands Community Hall, 729 Finlayson Arm Road. (Highlands (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Not listed on the District's election pages. Check with the District: elections@highlands.ca or 250-474-1773. (Highlands (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

Millstream Meadows. Mayor Ken Williams wants to remove the "regenerative development" requirement on the remediated former landfill site to allow regular commercial and light industrial use; Coun. Gord Baird wants to keep it. (Times Colonist, Sept. 25 (opens in a new tab))
Property taxes and the tax base. Highlands had a 9.5% tax increase this year, and about 78% of its tax revenue is residential. (Times Colonist, Sept. 25 (opens in a new tab))

All-candidates meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7 to 9 p.m., Highlands Community Hall, 729 Finlayson Arm Road, hosted by the Highlands District Community Association. (Times Colonist, Sept. 25 (opens in a new tab))

Sooke.

Mayor (1 seat), 2 candidates

Al Beddows, Kevin Pearson (Sooke First) (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab), Declaration of Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Council (6 seats), 16 candidates

Susan Belford (Sooke Together), Nick Dickinson-Wilde, Noah Dowhy, Janet Evans (Sooke First), Landon Grams, Herb Haldane (Sooke First), Kyra Lazzar, Elliott Lifton (Sooke First), Brian McHattie (Sooke Together), Rob Pearce (Sooke First), Curtis Peterec (Sooke First), Helen Ritts (Sooke Together), Steven Sorensen (Sooke Together), Tony St-Pierre, Katherine Strongwind, Christine Thomas (Sooke First) (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab), Declaration of Candidates (opens in a new tab))

Also on the ballot: a non-binding question asking whether the District should consider borrowing up to $5 million for the proposed Sooke Gathering Place intergenerational centre at 6671 Wadams Way. (District of Sooke (opens in a new tab))

Sooke's three SD62 (Milnes Landing zone) trustees were acclaimed. (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))

Advance voting: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Council Chamber, Municipal Hall (2205 Otter Point Road); Saturday, Oct. 10 at Edward Milne Community School; Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Council Chamber, Municipal Hall. (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))
Voting day: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Edward Milne Community School. (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))
Mail ballots: Available to all eligible Sooke electors. Apply by 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 (elections@sooke.ca). Your ballot must be received by 8 p.m. Oct. 17. (District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))

Issues in the race

The Official Community Plan. Adopted last December, it raised the number of development permit areas from three to nine. (Times Colonist, Oct. 2 (opens in a new tab))
Traffic and the Throup Road to Phillips Road connector. Including how much Sooke can afford to borrow. (Sooke News Mirror, June 27 (opens in a new tab))
Slates. Two elector organizations, Sooke First and Sooke Together, are running candidates for council. (Times Colonist, Oct. 2 (opens in a new tab))
The Sooke Gathering Place ballot question. (District of Sooke (opens in a new tab))

Sooke School District (SD62) trustees.

Belmont zone (4 seats)

Zone 1: Colwood, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin and a small part of View Royal. 4 seats, 6 candidates.

Cendra Beaton, Russ Chipps, Tom Davis, Mike Manhas, Mattie McMillan, Trudy Spiller (SD62 Trustee Candidates (opens in a new tab), District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab), District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))

Milnes Landing zone (3 seats)

Zone 2: Sooke and Port Renfrew area. 3 seats, acclaimed per the District of Sooke.

Ed Berlando, Amanda Dowhy, Laurie Szadkowski (SD62 Trustee Candidates (opens in a new tab), District of Metchosin notice (opens in a new tab), District of Sooke, Elections (opens in a new tab))

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

Al Wickheim was elected Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director by acclamation, so there is no vote for that seat. (Capital Regional District, Declaration of Election by Acclamation (opens in a new tab))

For any other ballots in the electoral area, check the CRD's 2026 election page. (CRD's 2026 election page (opens in a new tab))

Results.

Polls close at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. Municipalities post preliminary results that night and declare official results in the days after. (Elections BC (opens in a new tab))

This guide carries no advertising. The Westshore does not endorse candidates.

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