Saanich approves non-binding amalgamation question on October’s election ballot

This week, Saanich council approved a non-binding amalgamation question for the 2026 local election taking place this October. 

That means this coming election, electors will be asked: “do you support Saanich and Victoria becoming one municipality?”

Being that this ballot addition is non-binding, the results will not have legal effect and will not move the process on amalgamation further in any way, except to gauge voters’ opinions on the matter.  

The amalgamation of Victoria and Saanich is a matter that first came up after the local elections held in 2018.

During this time, electors in both Saanich and Victoria supported funding for a Citizens’ Assembly on the question of amalgamation.

The resulting Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly (VSCA) was mandated to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of amalgamation between the two municipalities. 

In 2025, VSCA published their final report, which recommended the two municipalities amalgamate. 

This report included analysis and recommendations on governance, service delivery, transportation, climate resilience, housing, public safety and other key issues; however, it did not include a comprehensive analysis of the cost of amalgamation, or the impact amalgamation could have on property tax rates. 

Though the VSCA wanted an official referendum on this year’s election ballot, the Province did not authorize the question in an official capacity. The cited reason was that a more detailed analysis was needed to understand the financial impacts, service impacts and transition considerations.

Because the question was not authorized as a binding referendum, Saanich has opted to ask the question anyway, but as a non-binding question. 

Following the election, when ballots are counted, if the majority of electors in Saanich vote “yes,” it would show support for both newly elected councils to pursue further technical and financial analysis with the Province. 

If that happens and the analysis satisfies the Province, a future binding referendum could be considered for the 2030 local elections. 

However, if electors vote no, it would show there is not enough public support to continue pursuing amalgamation, and no further work would take place.

Now that Saanich has approved this non-binding question, many are looking to Victoria to see if they will do the same. 

During this week’s committee of the whole meeting, the Victoria city council also has the matter of an amalgamation question on their agenda. 

The Victoria council will receive a report from staff this Thursday, June 25th and will decide whether or not to include their own non-binding amalgamation question for the election ballot. 

The upcoming BC local elections will take place on October 17th.