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The FINAL candidates for the 2026 local elections
H ere is the final list of candidates who have filed local government positions this year. Nominations are now closed.
Updated Sep 21, 6:18PM.
With voting day on October 17, 2026 coming up, we’ll be keeping this community informed and engaged throughout the campaign. Here’s a running list of declared candidates across the Comox Valley, with links to their campaign sites so you can follow along.
A special thank you to the 36 candidates who have set up campaign Facebook pages and the 28 who have built websites — your effort in communicating with the electorate digitally is genuinely appreciated.
Key: 🔄 Re-running | 🌱 New candidate
Facebook followers shown as (current ↑/↓ change since campaign start). New candidates who started at zero shown as (+total).
🏙️ ═══ CITY OF COURTENAY ═══
Est. population: 28,420 — est. 25,785 eligible voters
Mayor — 3 candidates:
🔄 ▶️ Bob Wells
https://mayorbobwells.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/MayorBobWells (1,430 ↑1) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/comoxvalleybob/
🌱 ▶️ Trish McPhail
https://votetrish.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594360798780 (+533)
🌱 ▶️ Manno Theos
https://www.facebook.com/manno.theos (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/manno-theos-654837164/
Council — 20 candidates (6 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Evan Jolicoeur
https://evanjolicoeur.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/evanjolicoeur2026 (980 ↑24) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/evjay/
🔄 ▶️ Wendy Morin
https://www.wendymorin.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067508774609 (836 ↑8) | https://www.instagram.com/cvrivergal/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-morin-5b4048103/
🔄 ▶️ David Frisch
https://www.facebook.com/ElectDavidFrisch (439) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-frisch-37b02a98/
🌱 ▶️ Phil Adams
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573324320206 (511 ↑13)
🌱 ▶️ Davina Singh
https://www.davinaforcourtenaycouncil.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593965494237 (+106) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/davina-singh-0ab2a3235/
🌱 ▶️ Kam Singhania
https://www.facebook.com/p/Kam-Singhania-for-Courtenay-Council-61594269334218/ (+74)
🌱 ▶️ Erik Eriksson
https://erikeriksson.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/ErikErikssonForCouncil (63 ↑1)
🌱 ▶️ Dick Clancy
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594766996771 (+60)
🌱 ▶️ Rosanna Chamberlin
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594501356435 (+54)
🌱 ▶️ Jessie Lightburn
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593097444849 (+34) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-lightburn-32a36948/
🌱 ▶️ John Dacombe
https://johndacombe.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593266858598 (+15) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dacombe-4239363b8/
🌱 ▶️ Dave Mellin
https://davemellin.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-mellin-0b477843/
🌱 ▶️ Darin Tufts
https://www.facebook.com/darin.tufts (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-tufts-50b3412b4/
🌱 ▶️ Guancarlo “Benny” Benvenuti
https://www.facebook.com/guancarlo.benvenuti/ (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Jin Lin
https://www.facebook.com/maplepoolcampsite/ (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Kelly Matthews
https://kellyscottmatthews.nationbuilder.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/kelly.matthews.54540 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-matthews-6697b3437/
🌱 ▶️ Kitty Pitt
https://kittyforcourtenay.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579177443015 (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Thomas McDevitt
https://www.facebook.com/thomas.mcdevitt.754 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmcdevitt10/
🌱 ▶️ Vasil Beaton
https://www.facebook.com/vasil.beaton.7 (Personal)
School Trustee Area 1 — 3 candidates (2 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Shannon Aldinger
https://www.facebook.com/shannon.aldinger.2025 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-aldinger-00848b43/
🌱 ▶️ Kendall Packham
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2152873905262642/ (+52) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-packham-610bb63a5/
🌱 ▶️ Maria Sanchez
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1380704014 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sanchez-79567022/
🌊 ═══ TOWN OF COMOX ═══
Est. population: 14,806 — est. 12,678 eligible voters
Mayor — Uncontested:
🔄 ▶️ Nicole Minions
https://nicoleminions.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/comoxforgenerations/ (1,166 ↑8) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-minions-999b1217/
Council — 11 candidates (6 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Dr. Jonathan Kerr
https://healthycomox.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/HealthyComoxBC (447 ↑65)
🔄 ▶️ Steve Blacklock
https://steve4comox.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/Steve4Comox (366 ↑1) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenblacklock/
🔄 ▶️ Jenn Meilleur
https://www.jennmeilleur.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/civicjenn (68 ↑11) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennmeilleur/
🔄 ▶️ Maureen Swift
https://www.facebook.com/maureen.swift.16/ (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-swift-82393564/ | https://www.instagram.com/swift_maureen/
🔄 ▶️ Ken Grant
https://kenforcomox.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/ken.grant.54/ (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-grant-85005b19/
🔄 ▶️ Chris Haslett
https://www.facebook.com/chris.haslett1 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-haslett-86854b42/
🌱 ▶️ Lisa Bourgeois
https://lisaforcomox.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593636885380 (+97) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisacbourgeois/
🌱 ▶️ Jessica Wegg
https://www.yestojess.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/jessica.wegg.comox.council/ (+65) | https://www.instagram.com/jessica.wegg.comox | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicawegg/
🌱 ▶️ Neil Ladell
https://neil4comox.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594386715622 (+9) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-ladell-45882910/
🌱 ▶️ Vivian Chislett
https://www.comoxvotes.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-chislett-65859359/
🌱 ▶️ Ruby Sidhu
https://www.facebook.com/rubybrars (Personal)
School Trustee — 2 candidates (1 seat):
🌱 ▶️ Jennifer Fisher
https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.fisher.1227 (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Bruce Curtis
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095635295984 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-curtis-b34605281/
🌲 ═══ VILLAGE OF CUMBERLAND ═══
Est. population: 4,447 — est. 3,480 eligible voters
Mayor — Uncontested:
🔄 ▶️ Vickey Brown
https://www.facebook.com/VickeyforCumberland/ (599 ↑6) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickeybrown/
Council — 7 candidates (4 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Troy Therrien
https://www.votetroy.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/votetroytherrien (227 ↑76)
🔄 ▶️ Nick Ward
https://nickforcumberland.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/nickforcumberland (187 ↑11) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickwardbc/
🔄 ▶️ Sean Sullivan
https://www.facebook.com/electseansullivan/ (579 ↑2)
🔄 ▶️ Neil Borecky
https://cumberlandborecky.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085326682059 (115 ↑5) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-borecky-468082304/
🌱 ▶️ Ellian Bell
https://ellianbell.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594113788357 (+272) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellian-bell-58373b22/
🌱 ▶️ Zanoni Agnew
https://www.facebook.com/people/Zanoni-Agnew-for-Cumberland-Council/61591297644757/ (+46) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/zanoni-agnew-b8975b90/
🌱 ▶️ Kevin Snaden
http://www.snaden.ca/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/snaden/
School Trustee — Uncontested:
🌱 ▶️ Laurel Rankin
Pending | https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-rankin-49a819101/
🗺️ ═══ CVRD ELECTORAL AREA A — Baynes Sound / Denman & Hornby Islands ═══
Est. population: 7,926 — eligible voters not available
Director — Uncontested:
🔄 ▶️ Daniel Arbour
https://danielarbour.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/danielarbour.ca (1,045 ↑10) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbourdaniel/
School Trustee (Area 4) — Uncontested:
🔄 ▶️ Chelsea McCannel-Keene
No campaign links
🗺️ ═══ CVRD ELECTORAL AREA B — Lazo North ═══
Est. population: 7,392 — eligible voters not available
Director — 2 candidates (1 seat):
🔄 ▶️ Richard Hardy
https://www.richhardy.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085505266263 (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Arzeena Hamir
https://www.arzeena.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/arzeena.hamir (1,350 ↑8) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/arzeena-hamir/
School Trustee (Area 5) — Uncontested:
🔄 ▶️ Michelle Waite
https://www.facebook.com/MichelleWaiteTrusteeforAreaB (227 ↑3) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-waite-b1a89231/
🗺️ ═══ CVRD ELECTORAL AREA C — Puntledge / Black Creek ═══
Est. population: 9,158 — eligible voters not available
Director — 3 candidates (1 seat):
🌱 ▶️ Norm McPhail
https://www.facebook.com/NormMcPhailCandidateforAreaC2026ComoxValley (+121)
🌱 ▶️ Ariel Becherer
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592000729860 (+66) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-becherer-ab60a22a3/
🌱 ▶️ Gillian Anderson
https://www.gillianandersonforareac.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594313758458 (+7)
School Trustee (Area 6) — Uncontested:
🌱 ▶️ Nicole Bergot
https://www.facebook.com/nicolebergot (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebergot/
🏝️ ═══ ISLANDS TRUST — DENMAN ISLAND ═══
Trustee — 4 candidates (2 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Sam Borthwick
(No social media found)
🌱 ▶️ Perri Gorrara
https://www.facebook.com/perri.gorrara (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/perri-gorrara-a0243913/
🌱 ▶️ Steve Hawkins
https://www.facebook.com/stephen.hawkins.545 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-hawkins-b3535511/
🌱 ▶️ Noah Ross
https://www.facebook.com/noah.rass.777 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-ross-62196786/
🏝️ ═══ ISLANDS TRUST — HORNBY ISLAND ═══
Trustee — 6 candidates (2 seats):
🔄 ▶️ Alex Allen
(No social media found)
🌱 ▶️ George Buvyer
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594452624220 (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Ronaldo Cruz
https://www.facebook.com/cruzronaldo (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ April Lewis
https://www.facebook.com/april.lewis.7902 (Personal) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-lewis-14370919/
🌱 ▶️ Pat Mullan
https://www.facebook.com/pat.mullan.3 (Personal)
🌱 ▶️ Jeffrey Rabena
https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.rabena (Personal)
Voting day: October 17, 2026. Advance voting dates TBA.
Official candidate information:
- Courtenay: https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/mayor-and-council/elections
- Comox: https://www.comox.ca/runningforoffice
- Cumberland: https://cumberland.ca/candidates-2026-election/
- CVRD & Islands Trust: https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/legislative-services/elections-aaps-other-voting/general-local-elections/nomination
Advance polls open on Oct. 7
Come here for advance voting times and locations for each jurisdiction
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Hi there,
Since there are so many people up for election in the October municipal elections, I am having trouble figuring out the platform each of them have…their political affiliations, background, etc. Do you happen to know of a resource with that information, so that I can make a better choice at election time?
thank you,
Rusty Tannant
Hi Rusty — Yes, Decafnation has sent a survey to all candidates. We will publish their responses on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
That must be a regular “u” to “i” keyboard typo – Guancarlo “Benny” Benevuti, must be “Giancarlo” – my Italian is rusty, but not that rusty, and I still like reading the poetry of Dante and Petracha”.
Now about those electoral lists…. Will there be a “None of the above” option, which was at least provided in the East Block countries during the “collapse”, or do we have to run that as a name on the ballots? We could register a candidate as “Nulli Suprae” – as the true representative of an alienated public?
The serious problem is that we are all looking to elect a “representative government”, but I am not sure that any of the candidates are really representative of our collective concerns.
Very seriously, I am not being facetious. The election of the AfD in Germany should ring alarm bells. We need candidates who talk about what brings us together, and what we share, who talk about our common interests, talk about what we have in common, and our common future. Sadly I am not seeing that
Great points! Come out to Kelly Matthews Campaign launch event this Saturday at Creekside Commons, 2202 Lambert Drive. 4pm. Kelly lives in our co-housing community and is running for Courtenay Council. Co-housing is Living the model of sharing and working together. I have been here 10 years and in my humble opinion it is a model for how our society can live in a more co-operative frequency.