Victoria backs amalgamation, but Saanich voters reject becoming one larger city | Daily Hive

Victoria backs amalgamation, but Saanich voters reject becoming a single larger city with B.C.'s capital

BC legislature in Victoria. (Kenneth Chan)

District of Saanich voters have rejected becoming a single municipality with the City of Victoria, despite majority support for the idea among voters in British Columbia’s provincial capital city.

This split result leaves the proposal to amalgamate both municipal governments and jurisdictions without the backing from both communities needed to move forward on potentially exploring such a path.

During their separate civic elections on Oct. 17, 2026, voters in both municipalities were asked the same non-binding plebiscite question: “Do you support Saanich and Victoria becoming one municipality?”

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According to the official results, Saanich recorded 24,663 votes against amalgamation, representing 68 per cent, compared with 11,626 votes in favour or 32 per cent.

Victoria delivered the opposite result. There were 17,523 votes in favour or 62 per cent, compared with 10,890 against or 38 per cent , among the 28,413 responses.

Although the votes were merely advisory to gauge public opinion, Saanich had outlined a clear consequence before the election: majority support in the separate plebiscites of both municipalities would allow further technical and financial studies with the provincial government. A rejection in either community would mean no further amalgamation work would proceed.

Even approval in both municipalities would not have automatically merged them. The outgoing BC NDP-led provincial government had said more information was needed about the financial costs, transition and effects on services, along with consultation with area First Nations, before the future staging of a binding referendum could be considered.

The result follows years of discussion about bringing the neighbouring cities together. In 2018, voters in both communities supported funding a citizens’ assembly to examine the advantages and disadvantages of amalgamation. The assembly brought together 48 randomly selected residents and recommended a merger in 2025, with its final report presented that July.

City of Victoria (blue) and the District of Saanich (green). (Victoria-Saanich
Citizens’ Assembly on Municipal Amalgamation)

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