Cowichan Valley’s guide to the 2026 B.C. election
What riding am I in? Who are the candidates? When do I vote? The B.C. election basics for Cowichan Valley residents.
B.C.’s provincial election is on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Advance voting runs Oct. 16 to 21.
This guide lists the candidates, their websites and their parties’ platforms as well as where and how to vote for your MLA in B.C.’s snap election. The Discourse also sent three reader questions to every MLA candidate in the Cowichan Valley and we’ll add their answers here when they come in.
What riding am I in?
The Cowichan Valley region is split among three ridings:
Cowichan Valley covers Duncan, North Cowichan (including Chemainus, Crofton and Maple Bay), Lake Cowichan, Cowichan Bay and the surrounding rural areas, plus Thetis, Penelakut and Valdes islands.
Ladysmith-Oceanside covers Ladysmith and Saltair. Most of the riding is to the north, in Cassidy, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Lasqueti Island.
Juan de Fuca-Malahat covers Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay and the Malahat. Most of the riding is to the south, in Sooke, Metchosin, East Sooke and Port Renfrew.
Not sure what riding you’re in? Look up your address with the Where to Vote tool.
Who’s running in the 2026 B.C. election?
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. This list comes from the Elections BC final candidate list, published after nominations closed on Oct. 3.
Cowichan Valley
- Bert Chen, Conservative Party — party profile
- James Chumsa, Communist Party of B.C. — party profile
- Justin Douglas, BC Green Party — party profile
- Debra Toporowski, BC NDP (incumbent) — website
Ladysmith-Oceanside
- Stephanie Higginson, BC NDP (incumbent) — website
- Kris McNichol, Conservative Party — party profile
- Charlene Smylie, BC Green Party — party profile
Juan de Fuca-Malahat
- Jeff Brown, Christian Heritage Party of B.C. — party profile
- David Evans, BC Green Party — party profile
- Shane Friesen, OneBC — party profile
- Mike Hicks, Conservative Party — party profile
- Dana Lajeunesse, BC NDP (incumbent) — website
Where do the candidates stand on the issues I care about?
We asked every candidate questions based on what Cowichan Valley readers told us matters most. Topics included mental health and addictions care, the Cowichan River watershed and Crofton’s drinking water and reconciliation. Answers are still to come, and we’ll share them here when they’re available.
Party platforms
These links go to each party’s own pages, checked Oct. 20, 2026. Platforms may change before voting day.
- BC NDP: Our Plan, with a costing document and commitments available on the page.
- Conservative Party of B.C.: Our Plan document with costing within and campaign commitments announced on the page.
- BC Green Party: Our Plan document with costing within and campaign commitments, or “platform planks” available on the page.
- Communist Party of B.C.: Our Platform. (Nanaimo-Lantzville and Cowichan Valley.)
- Christian Heritage Party of B.C.: Platform priorities. (Juan de Fuca-Malahat only.)
- OneBC: Priorities. (Juan de Fuca-Malahat only.)
The leaders of the NDP, Conservatives and Greens debated on Oct. 14. Watch the broadcast here.
Who can vote
You can vote if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 or older on Oct. 24, 2026, and have lived in B.C. since April 23, 2026 (Elections BC).
How and when to vote
- Advance voting: Oct. 16 to 21. You don’t need a reason to vote early, and you can vote at any advance voting place in the province (Elections BC).
- Vote by mail: Request a package by Oct. 18. Elections BC must receive your completed package by 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 (Elections BC).
- Final voting day: Saturday, Oct. 24 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- ID: You need to prove who you are and where you live. You can bring one piece of government-issued photo ID with your address, two documents with your name (one with your address), or have someone vouch for you (Elections BC).
- Time off work: Employees are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work during voting hours on voting day.
Where to vote
Use the Where to Vote tool to find your riding, advance voting places and your voting place on Oct. 24. Elections BC can also be reached at 1-800-661-8683.
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