LIVE SHOW: BC Votes '26 - What's Happening On Vancouver Island

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the second live edition of BC Municipal Votes 2026.

It’s Friday, September 4th, and we’re back with big news from municipalities right across British Columbia.

But today, we’re taking a trip across the water — because we’re heading to Vancouver Island.

And there is a lot to talk about.

From Victoria and Saanich, to Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay, Port Alberni and communities all the way up and down the Island — we’re going to criss-cross Vancouver Island today, looking at the issues shaping these communities, the political landscape heading into October, and some of the races that could be worth watching.

And when you look at the Island as a whole, there are 35 municipalities to consider — each with its own politics, its own priorities, and, in many cases, its own very different challenges.

So today, we’re going to try to make sense of that landscape.

Where are the big contests? What issues are dominating the conversation? Who is stepping forward — and who isn’t?

And perhaps most importantly, what should voters be watching as we move toward election day on October 17th?

Now, there’s another reason why this is an especially important week to be having this conversation.

We are officially in the first week of nominations.

Prospective candidates are now putting their names forward and submitting their nomination papers to appear on the October ballots.

Nominations close next Friday.

Which means that by the time we come back for our third live show, two weeks from now, we’re going to have something we don’t have today:

The full field of candidates.

We’ll know who’s running, who’s challenging incumbents, where the competitive races are shaping up — and, perhaps, where some of the surprises are.

But for now, we’re going to start with the lay of the land.

And joining us again today is our British Columbia Contributor, Charlene Smylie. ------

Listen To The Show:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown

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