A person who has not been disqualified from seeking or holding elected office may become a candidate in local elections. A candidate for mayor, councillor or school trustee must:
- be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months prior to filing nomination documents; and,
- not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
The Notice of Nomination outlines the nomination process, qualifications for office, campaign period expense limits and third party advertising limits.
2018 Candidates
For the list of Mayor and Councillor candidates seeking election, click here. Contact and online information for each candidate is included in individual listings.
For the list of candidates seeking election as a School Trustee, click here. Contact and online information for each candidate is included in individual listings.
More Information
Questions to staff by candidates
Staff Code of Conduct and Guidelines During the Election Period
Questions to staff by candidates
Click here to review questions that have been submitted to staff by candidates during the 2018 election period, as well as the answers provided to them by staff. This information is being provided to all candidates that have filed nomination papers, to ensure that the same information has been made available to all candidates.
Staff Code of Conduct and Guidelines
Please review the Township's Staff Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Staff During the Election here.
Nomination packages
Nomination packages are available for pick-up at Municipal Hall starting on July 16, 2018. Please click here to review the contents of the nomination package.
Candidates who request a copy of the List of Electors must return it to the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer for destruction after the election, or sign a declaration that the list has been destroyed.
Information resources
Information videos
- Characteristics of Effective Locally Elected Officials (Province of BC)
- You've Decided to Run for Office (Province of BC)
- Campaign Financing Advertising Rules
Information guides
Please review the guides below for important new information for candidates, including new campaign financing and advertising rules for elections campaign organizers, candidates elector organizations and third party sponsors:
- Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. for Elector Organizations and their Financial Agents
- Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. (2018)
Candidate Orientation Session
The Township of Esquimalt is pleased to offer a Candidate Orientation Session to give candidates and others an introduction to the what is involved in being a member of Esquimalt Council. The session will offer an opportunity to hear from a former elected official about what it’s like to be on Council. The presenter will be Allison Habkirk, former Mayor and Councillor of Central Saanich.
The session is specific to those running for office; however members of the public interested in local government are welcome to attend.
Where: Esquimalt Municipal Hall Council Chambers
When: Wednesday September 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Key topics to be covered include:
- What is the role of an elected official
- What is expected of you?
- What can you expect?
- Some important things you need to know about the work of Council such as: responsible behavior, decision making, closed meetings, conflict of interest and confidentiality.
Important dates
Election Period: Monday, January 1, 2018 - Friday, September 21, 2018.
Nomination Period: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 - Friday, September 14, 2018.
Campaign Period: Saturday, September 22, 2018 - Saturday, October 20, 2018.
Campaign financing disclosure statement filing deadline: Friday, January 18, 2019.
If you require assistance or would like more information on the nomination process, the election process, or Township operations in general, please contact:
Anja Nurvo, Chief Election Officer
Tel: 250-414-7135, or
Rachel Dumas, Deputy Chief Election Officer
Tel: 250-414-7157
Email: [email protected]