Local election guide: Esquimalt candidates for mayor and council

Esquimalt is one of many Greater Victoria municipalities whose mayor is not running for re-election this year. 

With longtime mayor Barb Desjardins not in the running, the community will be voting in a new leader along with its six councillors this election. 

In Esquimalt, there are two mayoral candidates and 12 candidates for a town council seat. 

Who is seeking re-election?

One candidate for mayor, Duncan Cavens is a currently sitting councillor in Esquimalt.

Among the council candidates, there are three candidates seeking re-election:

• Tim Morrison
• Andrea Boardman
• Meagan Brame

Candidates for mayor

Duncan Cavens

Duncan Cavens is a West Bay resident in Esquimalt who was first voted to town council in 2022. 

During his first term, Cavens says he pushed for climate and environmental considerations to be built into council’s decision making, the development of an Affordable Housing Plan and the transparency of Esquimalt’s finances. 

He also worked on some smaller changes such as limiting construction noise on Sundays and making rules around deer fencing more reasonable.

Cavens has represented Esquimalt on the Greater Victoria Public Library Board where he serves as elected board chair and he has also worked with the Celebration of Lights Committee as council’s representative.

Professionally, he is a planner and principal of C2MP, a small consulting firm that has worked with municipalities across Canada on climate and planning policy. Cavens has degrees in Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering, including a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering focused on transportation simulation.

Cavens says his priorities include having a clear vision for Esquimalt’s future, responsible finances, affordable housing and improving how people get around Esquimalt. 

Find more information on Cavens’ platform online here. 

David Gauthier

David Gauthier says he has been involved in local politics by writing to the Esquimalt mayor and council on a host of issues, including bike lanes, some aspects of the municipality’s website and various other safety concerns. 

He says he has studied Saanich and other surrounding municipalities and hopes to offer a new direction that serves the public. 

As a mayoral candidate, Gauthier says he would keep Desjardins’ open door policy, strengthen residents’ rights to both advocate and protest and would look to further study, write reports on and reform some present municipal voting methods. 

Find out more about Gauthier online here. 

Candidates for Esquimalt council

Andrea Boardman, incumbent

Andrea Boardman has been an Esquimalt resident for 32 years and was first voted to town council in 2022. 

She says she first ran for council because she loved Esquimalt and she wanted to give back to the community. 

At the council table, Boardman says she worked to bring a steady voice, a collaborative approach and a focus on decisions that balance today’s pressures with the long-term wellbeing of the community.

Boardman’s background is in healthcare and leadership.

She is seeking re-election because she wants to keep working for a healthy, safe, welcoming and thriving Esquimalt where families can put down roots, seniors can age with dignity, local businesses and organizations can succeed and residents feel heard. 

Boardman does not have a candidate website. 

Meagan Brame, incumbent

Meagan Brame was first elected to Esquimalt council in 2008 and served four consecutive terms until 2022. She was then re-elected in 2025 in a byelection. 

She says she is running once again because she feels that with a new mayor and the potential of a lot of change around the council table, she thinks there is real value in having someone who knows where the Township has been. 

Brame says she realizes that not everyone agrees with every decision council has made, but that is okay and part of the healthy debate that makes for a good local government. 

She says she will focus on bringing her experience and perspective to the table. 

Brame says she will prioritize responsible spending to lower property taxes, bringing back a Vancouver Island rail to the community and planning infrastructure that accounts for growth. 

Brame does not have a candidate website. 

Holly Courtright

Courtright has spent over 25 years working in municipal public service, three years serving as the Esquimalt representative on the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board and five years as the Esquimalt Chamber president. 

She says that her experience has taught her that decisions made in isolation rarely stay isolated—housing affects infrastructure, growth affects services and public safety is connected to how neighbourhoods are planned. 

Courtright’s priorities include building what is missing for housing, using the Official Community Plan to help shape Esquimalt’s future while protecting what makes it unique, implementing fair development cost charges in place and being transparent about how the Township is spending its funds. 

Courtright resides in Victoria, and is the only candidate who does not live in Esquimalt.

More information on Courtright is available online here. 

Dan Igaz

Dan Igaz settled in Esquimalt’s Rockheights six years ago after a long journey through the housing challenges of the region. 

He says he is running for council to help ensure that as Esquimalt grows, the township’s residents remain part of an active, connected community where the next generation of families can thrive.

His professional background is in community recreation, where he has spent his career building programs to meet community needs.

Igaz says his priorities are in community and recreation, supporting the Reconciliation Corridor rail project, creating more affordable housing, supporting “people-first” transportation in the region, protecting green spaces and good governance. 

Find out more about Igaz online here.

Meredith James

Meredith James moved to Esquimalt in 2019 and has actively been involved in supporting community events and endeavours. 

She has served on the Township’s Environmental Advisory Committee, contributing to advice and recommendations to council on environmental issues and helped organize a bike pirates float in the Buccaneer Days parade. 

James has worked as a lawyer for 15 years, and her legal practice has included municipal, environmental and Aboriginal law. 

Currently, she works with a boutique law firm that acts for Indigenous governments, communities and organizations.

Her priorities in this election are to create a diverse and vibrant community through affordable housing endeavours, to allow for safe and sustainable ways to get around the community, to protect public spaces, make responsible decisions and to protect trees, gardens and natural areas. 

Find out more about James online here. 

Robb Johnstone

Robb Johnstone has lived in Esquimalt near Saxe Point since 2019. 

Professionally, he works in the software industry as a content designer for a Canadian company that enables charitable giving in the workplace. He also has experience sitting on community boards and strata councils.

Johnstone says that he has been in regular attendance at council meetings since January, and believes that he has gained insights and knowledge that will help him in making decisions that are reasonable, practical and consistent.

His priorities are affordability, public safety, connectivity and keeping the town active. 

More information on Johnstone is available online here.

Bruce McIldoon

Bruce McIldoon was first elected as a councillor for the Township of Esquimalt in 2002, and served two more terms between 2008 and 2011 before stepping away from local politics. 

He was born and raised in Esquimalt and has worked as a Red Seal tradesperson as an Instrument Controls Technician at the HMCS Dockyard. 

McIldoon says he is not a career politician, but rather a resident who has watched Esquimalt grow and change, and seen what works and what doesn’t. 

He says he is running again because he believes Esquimalt deserves council representation that is grounded, honest and genuinely focused on the needs of families and homeowners—not special interests or political agendas.

His priorities include housing affordability, community safety and investing in local infrastructure. 

Find out more about McIldoon online here. 

Tim Morrison, incumbent

Tim Morrison was first elected to council in 2011 and has served four consecutive terms since that time. 

He says that he will strive to be a voice that is both responsible and responsive to all within our community, adding that his expertise on council will benefit the new mayor and new members of council. 

In addition to his work as a councillor, Morrison works in a senior communications role at a Crown corporation and is a registered member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). 

He has also worked as a journalist, teacher, school trustee, adventure tour guide and travel writer. 

While his main priority for this next term on council is housing and affordability, Morrison says he will also focus his efforts on climate action, economic development, property tax relief, celebrating community, parks and recreation, access to healthcare, policing and transportation and infrastructure.

More information on Tim Morrison is available online here. 

Zach Mulder

Zach Mulder is a recent high school graduate and cashier at Country Grocer in Esquimalt who believes he can offer a younger, fresher option for the Esquimalt council. 

Mulder does not have any information about himself or his priorities available to the public as of September 28th. 

Tyler Russell

Tyler Russell moved to Esquimalt with his son in 2021. 

He says that he is convinced that this town is the best place to live for anyone who wants to raise children, and he wants to help it stay that way. 

Russel has lived and worked for extended periods on three continents as a planner and coordinator in several different fields. 

He says that he is a regular at Esquimalt’s parks and recreation facilities, and says he is grateful for the shops, restaurants and amenities close by. 

He has 10 priorities listed on his website, which include fixing the daily traffic jam, growing places people play, making it easier to walk and ride, calming car-and-people zones, honouring local First Nations, pacing development with infrastructure and bringing in outside investments. 

Find out more about Russell online here.

Kody Thomson

Kody Thomson is a 30-year-old candidate who is seeking a seat on Esquimalt council. 

He is a civil engineer and member of the Canadian Armed Forces who has experience in volunteering for the Township’s Design Review Committee.

During the 2025 byelection, Thomson ran as a first-time candidate and local renter. Ultimately, he finished as a close second out of eight candidates. 

Thomson’s priorities include creating more affordable housing, providing safe and efficient ways of getting around the community and finding ways for more Esquimalt residents to access a family doctor. 

More information on Thomson is available online here. 

Tara Todesco

Tara Todesco has called Esquimalt home for over nine years and is running for council for the first time. 

She has over 20 years of professional experience across the public and non-profit sectors, leading collaborative projects in climate action, community development and grants and financial management. She also currently sits as chair for the Township’s Design Review Committee.

Todesco says that if elected, she will focus on two pieces of foundational work for the next council: careful budget work and the new Official Community Plan. 

Her priorities within those two matters will include housing and affordability, creating livable and connected communities and improving climate action within Esquimalt. 

Find more about Todesco online here.