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    Saanich, BC 2026 Municipal Election Candidates

    Saanich's mayoral race is open with four candidates — Zac de Vries, Karen Harper, Rishi Sharma (Save Our Saanich) and Robin Morton Stanbridge — and no incumbent running.

    Election daySaturday, October 17, 2026
    Candidates profiled4
    Mayoral race4 candidates

    All Saanich candidates

    Zac de Vries

    MayorIndependentCandidateCentre-left (3/10)
    • Housing affordability and supply: Pushes a diversity of housing types (duplexes, townhouses, low-rise apartments, student housing on/off campus) and opposed rejecting a 349-unit rental project near UVic; chaired the 2021 Housing Strategy Task Force
    • Active transportation and transit: Championed accelerating the Active Transportation Plan (extra $2M/year), 30 km/h default speed limits, traffic calming, and restoration of the Island Rail Corridor
    • Climate action: Backed Saanich's five-year climate plan ($3.2M); argues affordability and climate action go hand in hand; A-grade from Livable CRD on ending fossil-fuel advertising/sponsorship

    Lean assessment: Endorsed by unions MoveUP and CUPE Local 1004 plus YBC4BG; past NDP-campus leadership; A-grade climate/transit record on the Livable CRD scorecard.

    Karen Harper

    MayorIndependentCandidateCentre-right (6/10)
    • Taxes and fiscal efficiency: Wants local government 'focused, efficient, and responsive'; supported cutting $647,000 from the Active Transportation Plan in the 2026 budget to bring the tax increase down to 5.35%; interviewed by Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria on municipal taxes and service delivery
    • Quadra-McKenzie Plan accountability: Pressed for scrutiny and accountability on the controversial Quadra-McKenzie Plan as council neared its decision (CFAX, April 2026)
    • Healthcare access: Pushed council to use tax exemptions to boost creation of medical clinics, noting at least a third of Saanich residents lack a family doctor

    Lean assessment: Independent but fiscally conservative emphasis on taxes, efficiency and service delivery; corporate executive background; platform amplified via taxpayer-advocacy (Grumpy Taxpayers) channels.

    Rishi Sharma

    MayorSave Our SaanichCandidateCentre-right (7/10)
    • Infrastructure renewal and fiscal sustainability: Cites Saanich's State of Assets Report: $5.8B in infrastructure with a ~$51M/year funding gap; pledged a 100-Day Fiscal and Infrastructure Review if elected; campaign slogan 'Getting the Fundamentals Right'
    • Accountable, transparent government: Restore trust between residents and local government; results over plans; aligns with Save Our Saanich priorities of responsible spending, transparent decision-making and efficient roads
    • Housing and local planning authority: Wants a new provincial conversation on housing: review targets against current demographic trends, return planning authority to municipalities; planning should respond to how people live, not dictate it

    Lean assessment: Save Our Saanich EO platform ('common sense', responsible spending, respectful development); BC Liberal provincial candidacy background; fiscal-sustainability-first messaging.

    Robin Morton Stanbridge

    MayorIndependentCandidateRight (8/10)
    • Direct democracy: 2014 Colwood mayoral platform centred on direct democracy over politician-led decision-making (no Saanich-specific platform found)
    • Campaign finance restraint: In 2014 he spent no money on his campaign and accepted no donations (no Saanich-specific platform found)

    Lean assessment: Multiple Christian Heritage Party candidacies (2019, 2025 federal); CHP is a social-conservative party. No Saanich-specific platform published, so federal affiliation is the best available signal.

    Income & assets: 2026 financial disclosure statements are filed with Elections BC about 90 days after election day, so figures are not yet available. Those statements disclose campaign financing, not personal wealth.

    Frequently asked questions

    Who is running for mayor of Saanich in 2026?

    The declared mayoral candidates in Saanich are: Zac de Vries, Karen Harper, Rishi Sharma, Robin Morton Stanbridge. Profiles, issue positions and left-right lean ratings for each are listed above and in the interactive comparison tool.

    When is the Saanich municipal election?

    Saanich voters go to the polls on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as part of BC's general local elections. Advance voting dates vary by municipality — check your city's election page.

    How do Saanich candidates lean politically?

    Candidates are rated on a 1–10 left-right scale based on party affiliation and platform. In Saanich, the field spans: Centre-left (1), Centre-right (2), Right (1). Use the interactive tool above to compare any two candidates side by side.

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