COMOX VALLEY ELECTIONS 2026
For most people, it’s Comox Valley’s local governments that have the most direct impact. Local governments affect broad swaths of our lives, including the livability of our communities through land use and zoning, the water quality in our creeks and streams and they provide us with parks and recreation. It’s important to vote in local elections. On this page, you’ll find profiles of some candidates, election commentary, our endorsements and where-to-vote information.
LINKS TO CANDIDATES
QUESTIONNAIRES
- City of Courtenay
- Town of Comox
- Village of Cumberland
- Comox Valley Regional District
- School District 71 candidates listed at each jurisdiction
Inaugural meeting: Comox Council considers a six-storey project, Mayor Minions’s address
The Town of Comox held its inaugural council meeting Wednesday night so new councillors could take the oath of office and Mayor Nicole Minions could deliver her State of the Town address. But unlike traditional inaugural meetings, this one required the new council to address a development project approved by the previous council that conflicts with the election mandate opposed to six-storey buildings in the downtown core.
Courtenay City Council majority overrules new Mayor Theos’s appointments
Manno Theos may have won the Courtenay mayor’s office but he lost the first battle with the City Council this week, as four councillors objected to his proposed appointments to the regional district board and other assignments. Instead, the council majority passed their own list of appointments, leaving Theos off the CVRD board.
Mayor Brown gets emotional, says the village inspires her even on the hardest days
Mayor Vickey Brown and four Village Council members were sworn into office Monday night and accepted appointment to various boards and committees. In her inaugural address Brown acknowledged the importance of provincial funding and asked the community to leave the campaign behind and now focus on collaboration and team-building.
Will Cole-Hamilton bucks the trend, flips Courtenay Comox riding to NDP
More than four thousand fewer Green Party voters showed up this year and incumbent Conservative MLA Brennan Day lost 787 votes as the NDP won in Courtenay-Comox by about a three percent margin. The ‘blue wave’ was strong across the province, however, taking 64 of the 93 seats in the BC Legislature
THE WEEK: NDP trails BC Conservatives in polls, undecideds will determine outcome
This week: Province-wide polling indicates the NDP have fallen behind BC Conservatives heading into Election Day and that undecided NDP and Green Party voters will decide the outcome in swing ridings like Courtenay-Comox. Also, what should British Columbians think about the Alberta secession referendum? And if you suffer from Long Covid or other chronic diseases, funding cuts to virtual care may affect you
Voting stats show some positive trends in the local government elections
The Comox Valley’s 2026 local government election results show more women sought public office and were elected this year, especially in the Town of Comox. Plus overall voter turnout increased over the last municipal election in 2022. And, we look back to 1949, the year one new council member was born.
Decafnation recommends Will Cole-Hamilton for Courtenay-Comox riding
Will Cole-Hamilton is not just the “greenist” candidate in the Courtenay-Comox riding, he also the best candidate. Decafnation recommends that you vote for him. His Conservative Party opponent’s colleagues are fostering a hard-right Maple-MAGA movement. And, please, don’t vote Green again, you’re just helping the Conservatives.
It’s a clean sweep in Comox! In Courtenay, Manno’s your new mayor after vote split
Comox voters wanted change, and they got it, electing four new council members and returning two incumbents, who had opposed the recent Official Community Plan update, which had triggered a grassroots movement for change. In Courtenay, voters got change whether they wanted it or not as Manno Theos won the mayor’s chair in a vote split between his opponents.
It’s U-Pick’em time tomorrow, choose carefully from this wild and crazy crop of candidates
The Post War and Boomer Babies forgot to do a bunch of stuff, or just left it undone because they were too scared to raise taxes. So, when the millennials came along in 2018 they started cleaning up the mess. Now the city may fall into the hands of a wild and crazy bunch of newcomers. So let’s talk taxes, debt, pools, water meters and, once again, the Puntledge Triangle.
How to decide who to vote for in a municipal election…
Town of Comox voters will choose between two opposing visions for the future when they cast their ballots on Saturday. One that values sustaining the town’s character through community-driven planning, where everyone feels heard and respected. The other values developer-driven planning with little regard for individual homeowners and neighborhoods.
The deciding election issue in Comox: Which vision of the town’s future do you share?
Town of Comox voters will choose between two opposing visions for the future when they cast their ballots on Saturday. One that values sustaining the town’s character through community-driven planning, where everyone feels heard and respected. The other values developer-driven planning with little regard for individual homeowners and neighborhoods.
Decafnation Candidate Voting Sheet for 2026
A list of candidates endorsed by Decafnation
Does Manno Theos even live full-time in Canada? Strange admission on Facebook raises questions
Would you vote for a local government candidate who did not live full-time in the Comox Valley? How about one who may not live full-time in Canada? The questions around Courtenay mayoral candidate Manno Theos’s residency continue because he refuses to provide forthright answers. And it’s complicated by what appears to be a public admission that he lives part-time in Greece.
Public Engagement?
A chart of online and face-to-face activities for Courtenay council candidates. Here’s how the prospective candidates are treating their ‘interview’ for the job of running the city.
A grassroots movement to form neighbourhood associations is growing in Comox
Last year’s process to update the Town of Comox’s Official Community Plan has spawned several new neighbourhood associations determined to protect their character and quality of life from inappropriate developments. And it has energized individuals to participate in the current municipal elections
Our recommendations for Cumberland, CVRD and CV Schools trustees
Comox Valley voters started casting their ballots yesterday, the first day of advance voting for the Oct. 17 municipal election. Voting continues today on Denman and Hornby and on Saturday in Comox. Decafnation has published its list of recommended candidates in all jurisdictions of Comox Valley races. Click the banner at the top of this page.
Courtenay challengers finally clam up about city finances
Challengers for City of Courtenay council seats have wailed for months about taxes and over spending. Finally, they clammed up.
Four first-time candidates seek council positions in Comox
From a law firm partner, to the DFO Regional Manager, to a Certified Change Agent to an architectural firm manager, four first-time well-qualified candidates seek council seats in the Town of Comox. These are the new faces hoping to win seats in the Oct. 17 municipal election.