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Candidate Guide for the 2026 Election

This page was last reviewed on July 31, 2026.

The purpose of this guide is to provide potential candidates for the offices of mayor and councillor for the Village of Cumberland with some important information related to campaigning, the election, and expectations if you are elected to Council.

This information is provided to candidates for convenience. Please refer to applicable legislation for regulations.

Information Sessions

Elections BC on Financing and Advertising Rules (Local Candidates)

Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Information session for local candidates on campaign financing and advertising from Elections BC.

Register at https://elections.bc.ca/session/local-can-session/information-session-financing-and-advertising-rules-local-candidates/

Comox Valley Local Governments Candidate Information Session

August 13, 2026 from 6-9 p.m.

The information session offers interested candidates an opportunity to learn about the role of an elected official and ask questions. The session is hosted jointly by the Village of Cumberland, the City of Courtenay, and the CVRD. View the agenda.

Register through the CVRD at https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/services/legislative-services/elections-aaps-other-voting/general-local-elections/nomination

The session is online. You may also participate in the online session at a local government facility. Please contact Rachel Parker at rparker@cumberland.ca for more information.

What is in this guide:

  1. Municipal Purposes and Council Information
  2. Candidate Nominations
  3. Candidate Campaigning
  4. Voting Days and Election Results
  5. Following the Election

Introduction

The purpose of this package is to provide potential candidates with some important information related to campaigning, the election, and expectations if you are elected to Council.

For information specific to Village of Cumberland, the Village website has many resources, including:

There are other important information, guides and videos on elections and campaigns:

Candidates Guide to Local Elections in BC https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/general-local-elections

Campaign Financing Information

https://elections.bc.ca/ Local Elections menu

Municipal Purposes and Council Information

Municipalities are created by the Province of British Columbia. The BC Community Charter sets out purposes of a municipality as

(a) providing for good government of its community,

(b) providing for services, laws and other matters for community benefit,

(c) providing for stewardship of the public assets of its community, and

(d) fostering the economic, social and environmental well-being of its community.

Municipal Councils

In Cumberland, the members of council are a mayor and four councillors. Every council member, including the mayor, has the following responsibilities:

(a) to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and its community;

(b) to contribute to the development and evaluation of the policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities;

(c) to participate in council meetings, committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which the member is appointed;

(d) to carry out other duties assigned by the council;

(e) to carry out other duties assigned by or under the BC Community Charter or any other Act.

Mayor’s Responsibilities

In addition to the mayor’s responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities:

(a) to provide leadership to the council, including by recommending bylaws, resolutions and other measures that, in the mayor’s opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality;

(b) to communicate information to the council;

(c) to preside at council meetings when in attendance;

(d) to provide, on behalf of the council, general direction to municipal officers respecting implementation of municipal policies, programs and other directions of the council;

(e) to establish standing committees;

(f) to suspend municipal officers and employees;

(g) to reflect the will of council and to carry out other duties on behalf of the council;

(h) to carry out other duties assigned by or under the BC Community Charter or any other Act.

Fundamental Powers

Section 8 of the Community Charter sets out the fundamental powers of a municipality, which includes providing services and regulating in relation to a number of prescribed matters.

Delegation of Authority

The Community Charter allows a Council to delegate certain powers and functions to staff by bylaw. These functions often include such matters as issuing permits and licenses, purchasing within certain financial limits, placement of traffic control devices, powers to prevent fires, approval of minor land use variances and development permits.

Council also appoints individuals to act as the Village’s statutory subdivision approving officer, the “head” under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and chief election officer.

Code of Conduct

Elected officials are subject to the Village’s Code of Conduct that sets out shared standards with respect to the conduct of Council members, including:

  • foundational principles
  • general conduct
  • interaction with staff, public and media
  • conduct at meetings
  • handling of confidential information
  • conflict of interest
  • gifts
  • use of public resources

View the Council code of conduct: https://cumberland.ca/council/

The Province intends to regulate local government codes of conduct, investigations, and public reporting. More information will be provided to elected officials when it becomes available.

Term of Office

The term of office is four years starting when elected members take their oath of office on November 2, 2026 and ending in early November 2030. The next general local election will be on October 19, 2030.

Council Member Remuneration and Benefits

The Council Remuneration Bylaw for the municipality sets remuneration rates at:

  • Mayor: $27,243.67 annually in 2026
  • Councillor: $16,346.20 annually in 2026

Remuneration is paid in monthly installments. Annual increases reflect the consumer price index increase for BC.

Members of Council are provided accidental death and dismemberment insurance and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) at no cost. Members have the option to participate in the group extended health and dental benefit program, which also includes coverage for mental health supports.

Technology Supports

The Village is working to establish budget to provide tech supports for any elected official that requires supports due to disability or other health reasons.

Care Reimbursement to Attend Meetings

The Village is considering a policy and allocating a set amount of funding per member to reimburse dependent care cost for family members incurred when elected officials attend Council and committee meetings.

Parental Leave

The Village has no policy on parental leave. The Province is proposing legislation where elected officials would be eligible for 26 weeks of parental leave and may receive remuneration during leave.

Corporate Structure and Council Priorities

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the Council’s employee and is the only employee that reports to the Council. The CAO oversees the administrative areas of corporate services (finance, IT, insurance, human resources, legislative services), land use planning and regulation, building inspection, bylaw compliance, and animal control; and the operational service functions of parks, recreation, fire protection, and public works including roads, water and sewer systems through a staff compliment of 42 full-time and part-time employees, and a number of casual employees.

Following the development of its strategic priorities, the Council holds budget workshops to establish its annual five year financial plan. A tax rate bylaw is considered each spring to establish tax rates to collect revenues to support its strategic goals and municipal services and operations.

Council Meetings

Collectively the Council is the governing body of the municipality and makes decisions on matters such as:

  • Services provided by the municipality, whether directly, through contractors or by other governments
  • Five year financial plans and property tax rates
  • Capital projects, staffing, and service levels often through the budget process
  • Adoption of regulatory and administrative bylaws, which includes long term land use planning through the Official Community Plan bylaw
  • Land use decisions, including rezonings, development permits and variances
  • Policy decisions to provide operational direction to staff
  • Decisions on relationships with other local governments including regional government

At the first meeting in November each year the Council establishes the annual meeting calendar for Council and Committee of the Whole (COTW) meetings.

Regular Council meetings are typically held the second and fourth Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Closed meetings can begin as early as 4 p.m. but typically take place after the open portion of the meeting. Council members are provided an agenda and reading material on the Tuesday afternoon before council meetings in order to make informed decisions during the meeting.

The Committee of the Whole (COTW) is a committee of the Council. Meetings are less formal and allow for more discussion on policy decisions and other matters. These meetings can also take place in a workshop format. Council may choose to schedule regular Committee of the Whole meetings.

Other special and committee meetings occur throughout the year as required or set by the mayor, council or the corporate officer and may be held during the day depending on Council member availability.

Other annual meetings throughout the year include strategic planning, budget, Village Hall, and Committee of the Whole meetings. Public hearings for land use rezonings typically take place at 7 p.m. on a weeknight.

Daytime meetings: There will be occasions where full-day workshop meetings will be held throughout the year. If you are elected, please advise the Corporate Officer at your earliest convenience about your availability for daytime meetings.

Committee of the Whole meetings are currently held once a month on a Monday at 3 p.m. Depending on Council preference and availability, COTW meetings may be scheduled on Monday afternoons, or on Monday evenings in alternate weeks to Council meetings.

Participating at Council Meetings by Video

Council’s Procedure Bylaw allows for a Council member to participate in a meeting remotely if they are unable to attend due to illness or other personal health reasons, or the member not being in the Comox Valley region at the time of the meeting.

Meeting Closed to the Public

There are rules in provincial legislation that guide a council in deciding what matters can be discussed in closed meetings. Council typically closes meetings to the public where there could be an impact to a law enforcement matter, a third party’s confidential information, a person’s privacy, labour and employee matters or the Village’s negotiating or legal position.

Notice to close a meeting is given on a meeting agenda and when the Council votes to close a meeting, the Council always gives the reason in general terms why a meeting will be closed.

Village Select Advisory Committees and Boards

Village Council may establish a number of advisory committees, commissions and boards. A Board of Variance is required by the Local Government Act, otherwise Council may choose which committees it would like to appoint, which may depend on Council’s priorities for the term.

Appointments to External Boards and Committees

There are some statutory requirements for a Council member to be appointed by Council to external boards, such as the Vancouver Island Library Board. Other appointments are optional by invitation and typically made as non-voting liaison appointments to community Societies.

Comox Valley Regional District

Cumberland is a member municipality of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). The Village receives certain services from the region including regional recreation, waste management, emergency management, regional parks and trails. Council appoints one representative and an alternate to serve on the CVRD Board, Comox Valley Recreation Commission, Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board, and Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District Board.

Council members are appointed to those boards and may receive additional remuneration from the CVRD.

Candidate Nominations

Candidate Nomination Period

Nomination documents must be delivered to the chief or deputy chief election officer during the candidate nomination period:

Nomination Period Begins: September 1, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Close of Nominations: September 11, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The obligation to ensure that the nomination documents are received in accordance with the Local Government Act rests with the person being nominated.

Number of Nominators: Cumberland candidates require two nominators. You may have more than two. Nominators must be qualified to be an elector of the Village of Cumberland – see s. 65 and 66 of the Local Government Act.

Solemn Declaration:For a nomination to be accepted for filing, a nomination must be accompanied by a solemn declaration of the person nominated, either made in advance or taken by the chief election officer at the time the nomination documents are delivered. You may make your solemn declaration before the Chief or Deputy Chief Election Officer or a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits.

Delivery of Documents: Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, by mail or other delivery service, by fax or by email during the nomination period. If delivered by email, you should expect confirmation that your documents have been received. Call 250-336-2291 to confirm receipt.

Make an Appointment: If delivering your documents by hand to the Village office at 2673 Dunsmuir Avenue, it is recommended that you make an appointment with the Chief Election Officer. Regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please contact Rachel Parker at 250-336-3005 or rparker@cumberland.ca.

Declaration of Candidates: Candidates will be declared shortly after the close of the nomination period at 4 p.m. on September 11, 2026.

Candidate Campaigning

Elections BC is responsible for administering campaign financing and election advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

For guides and information on campaigning rules please see https://elections.bc.ca/local-elections

It is Up to Candidates to Get Your Message Out

It is up to candidates to determine how to campaign and how to connect with voters. The Village does not provide campaign materials or provide candidate information to residents.

At the 2022 general election, Village staff heard from some residents, seniors in particular, that it was difficult to find information about candidates.

Elector (Voter) Registration and Voters Lists

In Cumberland, voter registration takes place on voting day only, therefore a voters list is not available for candidates for campaign purposes.

Campaign Expense Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act the following expense limits for candidates during the campaign period apply:

Mayor $12,323,78

Councillor $ 6,161.89

Third Party Advertising Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act the following third party advertising limits apply:

Directed advertising expense limits: $ 924.28

Cumulative third party advertising limit: $ 184,856.70

Campaign Signs on Public Property – Cumberland Streets and Traffic Bylaw

In Cumberland, political campaign signs may be placed off of the travelled portion of any roadway provided that the signage is not

  • erected on medians,
  • affixed to traffic control devices or utility poles or trees, or
  • affixed in any manner which obstructs the free passage or visibility of pedestrians or traffic.

Please do not place campaign signs in any municipal park or on the adjacent highway of:

  • Peace Park
  • Village Park
  • Village Square
  • 6 Mine Heritage Park

BC Hydro Poles: Posting of signs is prohibited on utility poles and public light standards for worker safety.

After the Election: Political campaign signs on municipal public property must be removed by the candidate or their representative no later than Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Violations regarding campaign signage are subject to a daily ticket fine of $100 under the Cumberland Streets and Traffic Bylaw.

Inland Island Highway and Comox Valley Parkway: The Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) prohibits the placement of election signs on the Inland Island Highway between Parksville and Campbell River.

MOTT does permit signs on the Comox Valley Parkway provided that the sign is placed further from the road than standard traffic signs and does not:

  • Obstruct, simulate or be attached to any traffic control device
  • In any way pose a traffic hazard
  • Be placed on bridge, overpasses, tunnels or other highway structures
  • Signs must be removed the day after general voting day.

For complete regulations:

www.gov.bc.ca/electionsigns

Election and Referendum Signs and Posters Policy (2025 Update)

Campaign Advertising on Voting Days – The 100 Metre Rule

Candidates must know the rules around advertising and social media, especially on voting days. See the Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. for Candidates at elections.bc.ca.

Please ensure that before any voting proceedings commence that you

  • Remove all election signage within 100 m of a building used as a voting place
  • Ensure that your agents and scrutineers do not advertise candidates on their vehicle or on their person when within 100 m or in a voting place
  • Do not distribute election advertising within 100 m of a voting place

Please refer to Part 3 of the Local Government Act and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act at www.bclaws.ca for complete information on advertising restrictions and offences.

Candidates at the Voting Place

Candidates may only be present at a voting place for the purpose of voting, other than attending for the declaration of results at 8 p.m. on October 17, 2026.

Official Agents and Scrutineers

The official agent of a candidate may attend the voting place. Two scrutineers for each candidate are permitted to be present at one time at a voting place, although candidates may appoint any number of scrutineers. Candidate representatives must carry a copy of their appointment and show the copy to the Presiding Election Official upon attendance at the voting place.

Campaign Financial Disclosure

All candidates must file campaign financial disclosure statements to Elections BC by 4:30 p.m. 90 days after general voting day. Forms can be found at elections.bc.ca under the “local” tab.

Statements filed after this date must include a $500 late filing fee. The late filing deadline is 4:30 p.m. 120 days after general voting day. Failure to file will result in disqualification from running in 2030 general local elections in British Columbia.

Voting Days and Election Results

Voting Dates, Times and Places
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Advance Voting
  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – Advance Voting
  • Saturday, October 17, 2026 – General Voting Day

Hours: All voting takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Cultural Centre Buchanan Hall at 2674 Dunsmuir Avenue at the corner of Dunsmuir Avenue and First Street. Voting Place entrance is the north entrance from the parking lot.

Preliminary Election Results – October 17, 2026

Preliminary election results are expected to be declared after the close of voting at 8 p.m. on general voting day at the voting place. Candidates and/or one candidate representative may be present at the voting place for this declaration.

Candidates and representatives must be present in the foyer of the Cultural Centre shortly before 8 p.m. in order to gain admittance to the voting place. The doors will be locked at 8 p.m. and no one will be admitted to the voting place after 8 p.m. Candidates and their representatives will be escorted by an election official into the voting place to be present for the ballot account once the last elector has exited the voting place. No person will be permitted to exit the voting place until the preliminary election results are declared.

Candidates and representatives may inspect the results tape and ballot account.

Determination and Declaration of Official Election Results

Official election results will be determined and declared before 4 p.m. on October 21, 2026. Candidates will be notified of the date, time and place of this determination. Candidates may be present during the proceedings.

Judicial Recount

Applications for a judicial recount must be made between the declaration of official election results and October 26, 2026.

Following the Election

Oath of Office

The Council-elect is scheduled to give their oath of office at the Inaugural Council meeting on November 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. The oath must be taken within 45 days of the results of the election otherwise the person is disqualified from office.

Tentative Meeting Schedule

Candidates elected to Council will have many meeting commitments following the election. Please note that the following schedule is subject to change.

Meeting Date & Time Purpose Location
Oct 21 and 22, between 9am-4pm By appointment, meet with Chief Administrative Officer. Office orientation, payroll, laptop, email, availability for meetings. Village Office
Nov 1 at 11:59pm End of term for current Council
Nov 2, 9am – 1pm Village Orientation Day #1 Fire Hall
Nov 2 at 3pm Council member photo portrait session Village Office
Nov 2 at 530pm Inaugural Council meeting: Oath of office, appointments to boards and committees, approve 2026/2027 meeting calendar, reception Cultural Centre Moncrief Hall
Nov 3, 9am-4pm Village Orientation Day #2 Fire Hall
Nov 4, 9am-4pm Village Orientation Day #3 Fire Hall
Nov 5, 9am-4pm Village Orientation Day #4 Fire Hall
Nov 9 at 530 pm Regular Council Meeting Cultural Centre
Nov 23 at 3pm/530pm Committee of the Whole (COTW) and Regular Council Meeting Cultural Centre
Nov 30, 9am to 4pm Committee of the Whole (COTW): Strategic Planning #1 Fire Hall
Dec 1, 9am to 1130am Committee of the Whole (COTW): Strategic Planning #2 Fire Hall
Dec 7, 9am to 4pm Committee of the Whole (COTW): Strategic Planning #3 Fire Hall
Dec 14 at 530 pm Regular Council Meeting Cultural Centre
Holiday Break
Jan 11 at 530 pm Regular Council Meeting Council Chamber
Jan 13-15 from noon Wed to noon Friday Local Government Leadership Academy Newly Elected Seminar Series Nanaimo Conference Centre
Jan 18, 9am to 4pm COTW: Budget workshop #1 Council Chamber
Jan 25 at 530 pm Regular Council Meeting Council Chamber
Jan 26, 9am to 4pm COTW: Budget workshop #2 Council Chamber
Feb 1, 9am to 4pm COTW: Budget workshop #3 if needed Council Chamber
Comox Valley Regional District Board Sessions – for appointed Board members
Meeting Date & Time Purpose Location
Nov 17, 4-6pm CVRD Board Inaugural Meeting, Election of Chair for Directors CVRD Boardroom
Nov 24, 12-5 pm CVRD Board Orientation for Directors Water Treatment Plant
Dec 1, 12-430 pm CVRD Board Orientation Workshop for Directors CVRD Boardroom
Dec 3, 9:30-1 pm Comox Valley Regional Hospital District Orientation for Directors CVRD Boardroom
Dec 10, 930am-2pm Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board Orientation for Directors CVRD Boardroom
Dec 15, 9am to 4pm Comox Valley Regional District

Orientation Facility Tours

 CVRD
Cumberland Council Meetings Agendas

Agendas are typically distributed to Council members on the Tuesday before the meeting on the following Monday. This gives time for members to read the agenda and share any questions on agenda items with the Chief Administrative Officer.

Council Member Emails, Laptops, and Agenda Distribution

Each elected Council member is issued a laptop with Microsoft licenced software and assigned a Village email address. Agendas are produced as a digital PDF document and distributed to Council members currently through Microsoft Outlook.

The size of meeting agenda packages can range from 100 to 300 pages. Agendas are distributed to Council on Tuesday afternoons for the meeting on the following Monday. At regular Council meetings, portions of the meeting may be closed to the public, or “in camera” to discuss matters often relating to legal, land, employment or other confidential matters.

Each member of council will be provided notices and meeting agendas to each member’s Village email address, unless a council member provides the Corporate Officer, in writing, an alternative method to be notified and provided agendas.

Appointments to Committees, Commissions and Boards

Elected members of Council can expect to be appointed to several local and regional advisory and decision-making bodies, and to attend regular meetings. The Mayor may discuss appointments with Council members. Examples include:

Acting Mayor

Accessibility and Inclusion Select Committee

Heritage Committee

Wastewater Advisory Committee (LWMP)

Comox Valley Regional District Board

Comox Valley Sports Centre Commission

Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District Board

Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board

Comox Valley Community Justice Centre Board

Island Coastal Economic Trust, North Island-Sunshine Coast Regional Advisory Committee

Vancouver Island Regional Library Board

Conferences, Leadership and Conventions

Council members establish a budget for members to attend annual conventions and conferences, as well as learning with the Local Government Leadership Academy. Typical attendance may include:

  • Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) in February
  • Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) each September
  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) once during the term

Each member has access to limited funding for other local government conferences such as the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Summit.

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