Victoria firefighters union reveals list of endorsed candidates for local election

The Victoria Firefighters Local 730 union has revealed the candidates it is endorsing in the upcoming local election. 

The union has given its endorsement to seven candidates after meeting and interviewing those seeking election to the Victoria city council and the mayor’s office.

The council candidates they are endorsing include incumbent councillors Stephen Hammond and Marg Gardiner, along with newcomers Melissa Cseszko, Arthur Mcinnis, Karen Rothe, Jason Heit and Wendy Bowkett.

Following its interviews, the firefighters union did not end up endorsing a candidate for mayor. 

“We’re not endorsing a candidate for mayor,” said Josh Montgomery, president of Local 730. “Our endorsements are focused on where we believe we can have the greatest impact on our six issues.”

The union’s endorsements follow a process that began with Local 730 members identifying six priorities for the 2026 municipal election. 

The priorities are listed below:

• Opposing single-stair egress — New multi-storey residential buildings should have a minimum of two independent means of egress
• High rise emergency response — Ensuring Victoria has appropriate resources to respond effectively as the city continues to grow vertically
• Traffic, street design and emergency response times — Ensuring emergency response times and fire apparatus access are considered in transportation and street design decisions
• Violence against first responders — Ensuring firefighters and other first responders can safely provide emergency assistance without facing violence or the threat of assault
• Increased mental health support — Taking a proactive approach to mental health and occupational stress injuries experienced by first responders
• Inner Harbour and Vic West emergency response — Ensuring emergency response resources keep pace with rapid growth around the Inner Harbour and Vic West.

“Our members gave us six clear issues that they believe will make Victoria a safer city, and we took those priorities directly to all candidates,” said Montgomery. 

“We received an overwhelming amount of support across the board, which made these decisions difficult.”

He added that ultimately, the union is focusing its energy on candidates who align with its members’ issues.

The union noted that not receiving an endorsement should not be interpreted as opposing firefighters’ issues.

Following the union’s endorsement announcement, four incumbent candidates who received endorsement from the Victoria Labour Council (VLC), Matt Dell, Jeremy Caradonna, Krista Loughton and Dave Thompson, released a statement. 

“This term, VLC-endorsed incumbents have enthusiastically supported our firefighters through the hiring of 16 new Fire staff, including 14 unionized members and pledged to not reduce city staffing levels or wages,” said the four candidates. 

“We also endorsed a reduction in the call load of the Department for low-acuity overdose calls, which supports work-life balance and reduces burnout.”

They concluded the statement by saying that as pro-labour candidates, they will continue to support the Victoria Fire Department along with the safety and wellbeing of frontline emergency workers.

This election year is the first in Local 730’s 168-year history that they have made such endorsements after becoming a registered third-party advertising sponsor with Elections BC.

Local elections in Victoria and throughout the province will take place on Saturday, October 17th.