The Saanich election results show Rishi Sharma winning the mayoral race, while five candidates backed by Save Our Saanich captured seats on council in preliminary results released after voting on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Sharma received 17,157 votes, or 45.31 per cent, according to the District of Saanich.
Zac de Vries finished second with 14,785 votes, followed by Karen Harper with 5,299 and Robin Morton Stanbridge with 624.
The result gives Saanich a new mayor after Dean Murdock did not run in the 2026 election.
The new council will serve a four-year term alongside Sharma.
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Saanich election results show major council turnover
Eight councillors were elected from a field of 28 candidates.
Lorne DeLarge led the council race with 16,615 votes, followed by Nancy Di Castri, Colin Plant, Laurie Lidstone, Graham Wright, Matt McGeachie, Nathalie Chambers and Teale Phelps Bondaroff.
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Five of the elected councillors—DeLarge, Di Castri, Lidstone, Wright and McGeachie—were listed as candidates for the Save Our Saanich elector organization.
Sharma was also its mayoral candidate.
Plant, Chambers and Phelps Bondaroff also won seats.
Plant placed third overall, while Chambers and Phelps Bondaroff were the final two candidates to cross the eight-seat threshold.
Voters reject Saanich-Victoria amalgamation question
Saanich voters rejected a non-binding question asking whether Saanich and Victoria should become one municipality.
The preliminary count recorded 24,663 votes against the proposal, or 67.96 per cent, compared with 11,626 votes in favour, or 32.04 per cent.
The question appeared on ballots in both municipalities after work by the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly and provincial authorization for the 2026 local elections.
The result does not itself merge or preserve the municipalities through a binding legal process, but it provides a clear expression of voter opinion on the issue.
Turnout rises from 2022 election
The District of Saanich reported 38,299 ballots cast from 89,617 eligible voters, producing preliminary turnout of 42.74 per cent.
All 29 tabulators had reported results when the figures were posted.
That turnout was higher than the 31 per cent participation recorded in Saanich’s 2022 election, according to the municipality’s election information.
The ballot included contests for mayor, eight council seats, four Capital Regional District directors, school trustees and the amalgamation question, as part of the District of Saanich’s elections.
What happens next
The figures remain preliminary until the chief election officer completes the official determination of results.
Sharma and the elected councillors will take office as the new municipal leadership prepares for the next council term.
The top four council candidates by vote were also among those elected as Saanich’s Capital Regional District directors: Nancy Di Castri, Lorne DeLarge, Colin Plant and Matt McGeachie.
The incoming council will inherit decisions involving housing, transportation, infrastructure, municipal finances and the relationship between Saanich and neighbouring municipalities.
The results also suggest a substantial change in council’s political makeup, with five candidates from the same elector organization winning seats while several incumbent councillors failed to finish within the top eight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Saanich mayoral election in 2026?
Rishi Sharma won the mayoral race with 17,157 votes, or 45.31 per cent, in preliminary results.
Who was elected to Saanich council?
The elected councillors were Lorne DeLarge, Nancy Di Castri, Colin Plant, Laurie Lidstone, Graham Wright, Matt McGeachie, Nathalie Chambers and Teale Phelps Bondaroff.
Did Saanich voters support merging with Victoria?
No. The non-binding question was rejected, with 67.96 per cent voting against amalgamation and 32.04 per cent voting in favour.
What was turnout in the Saanich election?
Preliminary turnout was 42.74 per cent, with 38,299 ballots cast from 89,617 eligible voters.
Are the Saanich election results official?
The District of Saanich identifies the posted figures as preliminary results. Official results must still be determined by the chief election officer.
Fact-Checked: Key figures and election outcomes were checked against the District of Saanich’s preliminary results and official 2026 election information.
Disclaimer: Results reported here are preliminary and may change before the District of Saanich releases its official declaration.