Saanich confirms election results

October 21, 2026

Information Bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC –. The District of Saanich has declared the official results of the 2026 General Local and School Board elections. Saanich residents elected one mayor, eight councillors, two School District 61 trustees and two School District 63 trustees to serve the community for the next four-year term.

“The District of Saanich thanks all candidates who put their names forward and all residents who participated in the election,” said Chief Election Officer Angila Bains. “We congratulate the mayor-elect and councillors-elect and look forward to welcoming them as they begin their term of office.”

Official results

Office of Mayor:

  • Rishi Sharma – 17,157 (45.31%)

Office of Councillor:

  • Lorne DeLarge – 16,615 (6.66%) 
  • Nancy Di Castri – 16,319 (6.54%)
  • Colin Plant – 16,174 (6.49%)
  • Laurie Lidstone – 15,389 (6.17%)
  • Graham Wright – 15,101 (6.06%)
  • Matt McGeachie – 14,591 (5.85%)
  • Nathalie Chambers – 13,027 (5.22%)
  • Teale Phelps Bondaroff – 12,735 (5.11%)

Office of School District 61 trustee:

  • Trevor Barry – 10,044 (27.60%)
  • Tracy Humphreys – 9,956 (27.35%)

Office of School District 63 trustee:

  • Karen MacEwan – 3,246 (33.53%)
  • Victoria Martin – 2,681 (27.69%)

Public opinion question: "Do you support Saanich and Victoria becoming one municipality?"

  • No – 24,663 (67.96%)
  • Yes – 11,626 (32.04%)

CRD directors:

Saanich included an informal poll on the ballot to provide guidance to Council to appoint four of its members as directors of the Capital Regional District (CRD). Not all candidates put their name forward to be appointed as a CRD director. The following are the official results:

  • Nancy Di Castri – 13,160 (9.95%)
  • Lorne DeLarge – 12,966 (9.80%)
  • Colin Plant – 12,418 (9.39%)
  • Matt McGeachie – 10,536 (7.97%)

Quick facts

  • The mayor-elect and councillors-elect will be sworn in at the inaugural Council meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026.
  • A total of 38,299 ballots were cast, representing 42.74% of eligible Saanich voters. This is an increase of 11.94% from the last election in 2022.
  • Rules and procedures for local government elections are established under B.C.’s Local Government Act and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.


Learn more
Official election results, including complete candidate results, are available at Saanich.ca/results. 

-30- 

Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca