Interested in running for office?

Serving on Central Saanich Council is a significant commitment and an opportunity to help guide the community over a fouryear term (2026–2030). Elected officials play an important role in setting policy, making decisions on local services, and representing the interests of residents.

Time Commitment and Responsibilities
In addition to regular meeting participation, Council members are expected to prepare for meetings, review reports, and take part in community and regional activities.

Council members typically:

• A minimum of two Regular Council meetings each month
• Serve on external committees, boards and commissions
• Review and consider agenda items and supporting materials
• Participate in decision making on municipal policies, services and bylaws
• Attend a variety of community events, public functions, and meetings to engage with residents and represent the municipality

Council meetings are generally held:

• Regular Council: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Central Saanich Municipal Hall, Council Chambers

Members are expected to attend meetings in person; however, electronic participation is available when required.
 

To qualify as a candidate, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately preceding the day nomination papers are filed
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

To run as a candidate for the office of Mayor or Councillor, an individual must be nominated by at least two (2) people who are qualified electors of the District of Central Saanich. These individuals may be resident electors or non-resident property electors.

Elected officials must comply with a Council Code of Conduct, which emphasizes integrity, accountability, respect, leadership and collaboration. Council members are also subject to conflict of interest rules and must not participate in discussions or decisions where they have a direct or indirect pecuniary (financial) or non pecuniary (bias) interest.
Because many Council duties are performed in the public eye, elected officials should be aware that aspects of their role—and occasionally their personal conduct—may be subject to public scrutiny, which can result in a level of reduced privacy.
 

In recognition of the time and commitment involved, Council members receive annual remuneration:

• Mayor: $64,092 (2026 rate)
• Councillor: $28,092 (2026 rate)

Council members may also participate in the District’s benefit plans, including extended health, dental, group life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
 

Nomination documents will be available in July 2026.  

To be nominated, a candidate must:  

• Consent to the nomination  
• Submit nomination documents
• 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 September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. and closes on September 11, 2026 at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.  

The Chief Election Officer accepts nomination documents only during the nomination period. Candidates are encouraged to submit their nomination documents early to allow sufficient time to verify that all required information is complete.

Candidates endorsed by an elector organization must ensure the organization’s name is identified on their nomination documents before the nomination filing deadline.
 

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

Email: elections@csaanich.ca
Mail: District of Central Saanich, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 2A9
In person: Legislative Services at Central Saanich Municipal Hall, weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Candidates can pay their nomination deposit: In person at the Central Saanich Municipal Hall, weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Elections BC administers, investigates and enforces campaign financing, third-party sponsor and election advertising provisions under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
All candidates are subject to expense limits during the campaign period. Each election area and office has its own limit, based on the office sought and the population of the election area. These limits apply to the 2026 General Local Elections and all subsequent by-elections.

Information and resources are available on the Elections BC website, including on topics of:

• Campaign Financing
• Electoral Organization
• 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 Sign Bylaw No. 2182