British Columbia’s 2026 municipal elections produced major changes in several of the province’s largest cities, including new mayors in Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond and Saanich.
Voters went to the polls on Saturday, October 17, to elect mayors, councillors, regional district directors, school trustees and other local representatives across the province.
The results remain preliminary until individual municipalities formally declare their winners.
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B.c. Municipal Elections: Vancouver and Surrey change mayors
In Vancouver, Pete Fry defeated incumbent Mayor Ken Sim, according to preliminary election results reported after the polls closed.
Fry, a Vancouver city councillor and Green politician, becomes the city’s next mayor after Sim’s single term at city hall.
The result is expected to reshape the political balance at Vancouver City Hall, where housing, transportation, policing, public safety and development policy were central campaign issues.
In Surrey, former mayor Doug McCallum reclaimed the mayor’s office after incumbent Brenda Locke conceded the race on election night.
McCallum previously served as Surrey’s mayor before losing to Locke in the 2022 municipal election.
His return creates a political reversal in B.C.’s second-largest city, where disputes over policing, transit expansion, taxation and rapid population growth were prominent during the campaign.
New leadership in Richmond and Saanich
Richmond also appears set for a change in leadership, with Rob Howard leading Alexa Loo and the other mayoral candidates in the preliminary count.
The Richmond result was still being updated as ballots were counted, meaning the final margin and official declaration had not yet been completed, according to the city’s election results.
In Saanich, Rishi Sharma won the mayoral race in preliminary results, while candidates associated with the Save Our Saanich group captured several council seats.
Sharma received 17,157 votes, or 45.31 per cent, according to the preliminary results released by the District of Saanich.
Zac de Vries finished second with 14,785 votes, followed by Karen Harper and Robin Morton Stanbridge.
The outcome gives Saanich a new mayor after Dean Murdock chose not to seek re-election.
Incumbents hold on in other major cities
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley won a third term, according to preliminary election-night results.
Hurley’s continued tenure gives Burnaby political continuity as the city manages housing construction, infrastructure expansion, transportation pressures and growth around major development areas.
In Coquitlam, Craig Hodge was elected mayor in a contest that will also bring new leadership to a rapidly growing suburban municipality.
The Metro Vancouver results were mixed beyond the region’s biggest cities, with some incumbent mayors retaining office and other communities choosing new leaders.
Several races remained close or incomplete overnight, and council results were still being finalized in many municipalities.
What happens next
British Columbia municipalities are responsible for counting ballots and declaring their own official election results.
Elections BC oversees campaign-financing and election-advertising rules, but it does not run the voting process for individual municipalities.
Official results are expected to be declared by local chief election officers during the days following the vote, with the provincial deadline generally falling on or before October 21.
Candidates and elector organizations must also complete financial disclosure filings after the election.
The filing deadline for the 2026 local elections is January 15, 2027, with a late-filing deadline of February 16, 2027.
The newly elected councils will now turn campaign promises into municipal budgets, bylaws and policy decisions over the next four-year term.
For residents, the immediate priorities will include the formation of councils, committee assignments, budget planning and the transition to newly elected administrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were British Columbia’s 2026 municipal elections held?
General voting day was Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Who won the Vancouver mayoral election?
Pete Fry defeated incumbent Ken Sim in preliminary results.
Who won the Surrey mayoral election?
Former mayor Doug McCallum reclaimed the mayor’s office after Brenda Locke conceded the race.
Are the 2026 B.C. municipal election results official yet?
Many results were preliminary on election night and required formal declarations by local chief election officers.
When is the financial disclosure deadline for candidates?
The regular filing deadline is January 15, 2027, followed by a late-filing deadline of February 16, 2027.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, election procedures and reported results were checked against Elections BC and municipal election information published by the relevant local governments.
Disclaimer: Election-night results may change before municipalities complete their official counts and declarations.