Voters on Vancouver Island have delivered a mix of familiar faces and new leadership in the 2026 municipal election, with Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto securing another term, Saanich electing political newcomer Rishi Sharma, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog winning a third term and communities across the island choosing new mayors or returning incumbents. The preliminary results also reveal contrasting views on a proposed amalgamation of Victoria and Saanich, while housing, road safety, public services and affordability are among the issues that will shape the next four years of municipal decision making. South Island Victoria: Alto wins another term as amalgamation vote passes Marianne Alto has been re-elected mayor of Victoria with 13,505 votes, setting the stage for a second term focused on housing, community safety and collaboration with other levels of government. The city’s preliminary results show 31,281 ballots cast. Stephen Hammond, Matt Dell, Marg Gardiner, Jeremy Caradonna, Melissa Cseszko, Jack Sandor, Wendy Bowkett and Dave Thompson were elected to the eight council seats. Alto says the next term will build on the work of the past four years while recognizing the financial pressures facing local government. “We’re going to continue working on housing. We’re going to flush out the community safety well-being plan,” Alto said in an interview with CTV News. She also plans to push the provincial government for more partnerships to address problems that have increasingly fallen to municipalities. Alto emphasized that the role of mayor extends beyond setting priorities. She said creating room for different opinions and finding common ground will be essential as council moves forward. The campaign, she said, was particularly difficult and personal, reinforcing her commitment to civility in local politics. “We have to make spaces for people to disagree,” Alto said. That message comes as Victoria prepares to work through a range of competing priorities, with Alto acknowledging that residents have signalled interest in different directions for the city. Voters also backed a proposal asking whether Victoria and Saanich should become one municipality. The preliminary count was 17,523 in favour and 10,890 opposed. The result in Victoria, however, is only one part of the picture. Saanich: Sharma elected as voters reject amalgamation Rishi Sharma has been elected mayor of Saanich with 17,157 votes, leading the ‘Save Our Saanich’ electoral organization into office after campaigning on responsible growth, road safety and stronger public engagement. Sharma, a former public servant with about 28 years of experience, has not previously served on municipal council. He told CTV News he was pleased with the result, although he had not expected to win. “I was an underdog,” Sharma said. “I wasn’t an incumbent. I didn’t sit on council.” He said his background in provincial politics and campaign work helped prepare him for the challenge but credited his team’s efforts for the outcome. The eight elected councillors are Lorne DeLarge, Nancy Di Castri, Colin Plant, Laurie Lidstone, Graham Wright, Matt McGeachie, Nathalie Chambers and Teale Phelps Bondaroff. Sharma said residents should expect robust discussions around development, traffic and spending as the new council works to balance competing priorities. He supports what he describes as responsible and appropriate growth, including more affordable housing and missing-middle options that could help younger families enter the housing market. He also wants to review permit processes and find ways to move housing projects forward more efficiently. Road safety is another priority. Sharma said he wants to review the district’s active transportation plan and has ruled out supporting a proposal to reduce McKenzie Avenue to a single lane. He also promised an open-door approach, including listening to residents who did not vote for him. “What’s going to be best for the residents?” Sharma said, describing the question he wants council to consider when dealing with contentious issues. The election also delivered a clear result on amalgamation. In Saanich, 24,663 voters opposed becoming one municipality with Victoria, while 11,626 supported the proposal. When asked whether amalgamation was now effectively over, Sharma said he believed so, adding that the result meant council could move on to other priorities. South Island results In Langford, former mayor Stew Young is returning to the mayor’s office after receiving 9,801 votes. Incumbent Scott Goodmanson received 5,411. Doug Kobayashi was elected mayor of Colwood with 4,250 votes, while Duncan Cavens won in Esquimalt with 4,407 votes. Jack McClintock was elected mayor of North Saanich with 2,907 votes, and Kevin Murdoch won another term in Oak Bay with 5,231 votes. In View Royal, Volker Dammann received 1,131 votes to become mayor. Peter Wainwright was elected by acclamation in Sidney, while Steve Gray won in Metchosin with 1,724 votes. Pearson Kevin received 3,140 votes to win the mayor’s race in Sooke. The community also voted in favour of a non-binding plebiscite asking whether the district should consider borrowing up to $5 million to support construction and initial start-up costs for the proposed Sooke Gathering Place intergenerational centre. The result was 2,687 votes in favour and 1,813 opposed. The vote does not authorize borrowing, approve construction or commit district-owned land. It will inform council’s future consideration of the proposal. Zeb King was elected mayor of Central Saanich with 3,616 votes, while Gord Baird won in Highlands with 500 votes. Central and North Island Nanaimo: Krog wins third term with major projects ahead Leonard Krog has been re-elected mayor of Nanaimo with 10,368 votes. The preliminary results show 25,450 ballots cast. Ben Geselbracht, Paul Manly, Hilary Eastmure, Sheryl D. Armstrong, Andréa Coutu, Erin C. Hemmens, Marnie Boers and Ian W. Thorpe were elected to council’s eight seats. Krog told CTV News he would have preferred a stronger vote count, but said he was ready to continue the work already underway. “A third term is a third term. A win is a win,” Krog said. He identified the South End Community Centre, a new public works yard and the replacement of the police station as important projects for the coming term. A waterfront walkway and a potential arts centre also remain on the city’s agenda. Beyond municipal infrastructure, Krog said he intends to continue pressing the provincial government on issues including street disorder and health care. He highlighted the importance of the new hospital tower, a new cardiac catheterization lab and long-term care, describing them as significant priorities for the community. Krog also reflected on changes around the council table, saying he was disappointed to see Janice Perrino lose her seat. He praised her work with the regional district health board and her contributions to major regional initiatives. He said new council members would have a learning curve as they become familiar with the responsibilities of local government. “It’s one thing to think you want the job. It’s another thing to do the job,” Krog said. Results across the region In North Cowichan, Rob Douglas was re-elected mayor with 6,090 votes. Deena Beeston won the mayor’s race in Ladysmith with 1,494 votes, while Mike McKinlay was acclaimed in Duncan after running unopposed. Mary Beil was elected mayor of Parksville with 2,401 votes, and Adam Walker won in Qualicum Beach with 2,774. Charles Mealey was elected mayor of Port Alberni with 3,075 votes. In Campbell River, Kermit Dahl received 5,170 votes to win the mayor’s race. Manno Theos was elected mayor of Courtenay with 3,870 votes, in Comox, incumbent Mayor Nicole Minions was re-elected by acclamation. Tim McGonigle won in Lake Cowichan with 583 votes. Incumbent Mayor Mark Swain was acclaimed in Lantzville, incumbent Mayor Vickey Brown was acclaimed in Cumberland and Peter Wehmeier won in Gold River with 227 votes. In the smaller coastal and island communities, David Stewart was elected mayor of Port Alice with 210 votes, Shawn Anderson won in Ucluelet with 496 votes, Samuel Cook won in Alert Bay with 131 votes, Jason Johnson won in Sayward with 89 votes and Allison Stiglitz won in Tahsis with 136 votes. Bob Berthelotte was acclaimed in Zeballos. James Furney was acclaimed in Port McNeill, and Pat Corbett-Labatt was acclaimed in Port Hardy. In Tofino, Tom Stere won won with 553 votes, while Eric Galarneau received 45. Six councillors had already been elected by acclamation: Al Anderson, Susie Doré, Ali Sawyer, Sarah Sloman, Kat Thomas and Rhys Walker-Shaw. What happens next? The results remain preliminary, with official declarations and any applicable challenge periods to follow. Central Saanich’s election information states that official results are to be declared by the chief election officer by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The newly elected councils will begin their terms in November, with communities facing decisions on infrastructure, housing, transportation, public safety and the cost of delivering municipal services. For Victoria and Saanich, the contrasting amalgamation votes offer an early indication of the challenges ahead in building regional consensus. For newly elected leaders across Vancouver Island, the immediate task will be turning campaign promises into workable plans and budgets. Complete list of elected councillors across Vancouver Island Here is a breakdown of the councillors listed in the preliminary 2026 election results. Results remain subject to official confirmation where applicable. South Island North Saanich Jane J. Burnes, Stuart F. Mackinnon, Jim C. Woolford, Brian Robinson, Phillip J. DiBattista and Walter Langer. Esquimalt Tim Morrison, Tara Todesco, Meagan Brame, Andrea Boardman, Holly Courtright and Meredith James. Oak Bay Hazel S. Braithwaite, Will Moore, Cairine J. Green, Roxanne P. Helme, Esther W. Paterson and David Gleeson. Langford Lisa Foxall, Wendy Hobbs, Bryson Hill, Jennifer Dunnett, Brandy Gordon and Colby Harder. Colwood Misty Olsen, Eugene Tseng, Ian Ward, David Grove, Deborah Law and Harold Bloomenthal. View Royal Gery Lemon, Amy McCooey, Sacha Christensen, Don Brown, Carolynne Clark and Cam Harris. Sidney Terri O’Keeffe, Steve Duck, Scott Garnett, Richard Novek, Eric Diller and Rory Lambert. Metchosin Kyara Kahakauwila, Jesse Pewarchuk, Shelly Donaldson and Mark Muldoon. Sooke Herb Haldane, Rob Pearce, Katherine Strongwind, Janet Evans, Curtis Peterec and Elliott Lifton. Central Saanich David Lawson, Ben Michell, Sarah Riddell, Anny M. Scoones, Susan Zedel and Kathleen Zimmerman. Highlands Karel Roessingh, Justin Allen, Leslie Anderson, Rob Justice, Ann Baird and Patrick Harriott. Duncan Garry F. Bruce, Tom Duncan, Carol Newington, Jenni Capps, Jessica Fetchko and Bernice Timmer. Central and North Island North Cowichan Christopher Justice, Krystal Adams, Valerie Russell, Chris Istace and Derek Masselink. Ladysmith Jeff Virtanen, John Scott, Eva Vincent, Renée Hutchinson, April Marrington and Lynn Hansen. Port Alice Russell Murray, Sean Watson, Holly Aldis and Doug Worthington. Campbell River Laird Ruehlen, Susan L. Sinnott, Lucas Schuller, Joëlle Samson, Brittany Colville and Ben Lanyon. Courtenay Wendy Morin, Evan Jolicoeur, Kelly Matthews, Dick Clancy, Thomas McDevitt and Rosanna Chamberlin. Comox Jonathan R. Kerr, Jessica A. Wegg, Jenn Meilleur, Lisa C. Bourgeois, Neil A. Ladell and Vivian Chislett. Gold River Brenda L. Patrick, Roger W. Steele, Jarrod S. Simpson and Chris White. Cumberland Nick Ward, Troy Therrien, Ellian Bell and Sean Sullivan. Parksville Amit Gaur, Shelly McCullough, Sean Wood, Adam Fras, Ralph Tietjen and Frank Bailey. Qualicum Beach Mischa Oak, Donald R. Couzens, Scott Harrison and Anne Skipsey. Port Alberni Diljeet S. Hundal, Cindy N. Solda, Debbie J. Haggard, Sam Atwal, Adam S. Hayduk and Nina B. Kossenko. Ucluelet Alishia E. Fox, Mayco Noël, Mark Maftei and Jeff Anderson. Lake Cowichan Dale N. Plante, Kristine M. Sandhu, Aaron Frisby and Lorna Vomacka. Lantzville Scott Mack, John Westby, Jonathan Lerner and Lee Forsyth. Port McNeill Shelley Downey, Janice Ellis, Bill McQuarrie and Leighann Ruel. All councillors ran unopposed. Alert Bay Judy Cadrin, Lisanne Granger, Sandy McGregor and Duncan Williams. All councillors ran unopposed. Sayward Michelle M. Davis, Neil A. MacDougall, William Ives and Maureen E. Haslehurst. Tahsis Samuel Adams, Jackson Halan-Harris, Ryan Moore and Cheryl Northcott. All councillors ran unopposed. Zeballos Michael Fry, Barb Lewis, Kirsten Aubrey and Justin Janisse. Port Hardy Brian Texmo, Janet Dorward, Adam Ireton, John Tidbury, David Summers, Doug Kerr, Mayors elected by acclamation The following mayors were elected without a contested mayoral race: Sidney: Peter Wainwright Duncan: Mike McKinlay Comox: Nicole Minions Cumberland: Vickey Brown Lantzville: Mark Swain Port McNeill: James Furney Zeballos: Bob Berthelotte Port Hardy: Pat Corbett-Labatt
