· Non-partisan voter guide
Elections · BC · 2026
Many of us come from countries where we vote for a president every few years. Here the system is different — and the decisions closest to your daily life are made at your city hall and in Victoria. This guide explains it simply, so you can vote with confidence.
You're invited · Free event
Latincouver invites you to meet and learn about the BC provincial candidates and the municipal candidates before you vote. Bring your questions, bring your family, bring a friend.
How it works
Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. This is the biggest difference with most Latin American countries.
Canada is divided into 343 ridings (electoral districts). You vote for one person to represent your area — an MP in Ottawa.
The candidate with the most votes in each riding wins that seat. The party with the most seats usually forms government.
The leader of that party becomes Prime Minister. With 172+ seats it's a majority; with fewer, a minority that needs other parties.
BC works the same way: you vote for an MLA in your provincial riding, and the leader of the party with the most seats becomes Premier.
Three levels of government
Each level has its own elections, its own politicians and even its own parties. A party with the same name at the federal and provincial level is often a separate organization.
Some things are shared, like transit and infrastructure. In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is shaped by both the province and the mayors.
Latino Agenda
We're one of the fastest-growing communities in BC. When candidates knock on your door or come to a debate, these are the questions to ask them, at the provincial level and at city hall.
Explore a partnership with the Government of Spain to bring Spanish language learning into BC's public school curriculum. Alberta already has an agreement like this. BC doesn't yet.
Every worker should be protected, including those who are undocumented or have an expired permit. Nobody should be afraid to report unpaid wages or unsafe work.
Funding that matches our growth, so we have spaces for our culture, our families and our businesses.
Ask the candidates: "What will you do for the Latin American community in BC?" Their answer will tell you a lot.
Why vote
City council decides zoning — how many homes get built, and where. The province sets the rules for rent increases and tenant rights.
School board trustees decide how the school budget is spent, including English language learner support and programs for newcomer families.
Getting professional credentials recognized, minimum wage and workplace rules are all provincial decisions.
Candidates visit the neighbourhoods and communities that turn out. When Latinos vote, our issues get on the agenda.
Turnout in municipal elections is low, often around one in three voters, so each vote carries more weight.
When we vote, we teach the next generation that they belong here and that their voice counts.
Pick one or two issues that matter to your family, see which candidates talk about them, and go vote. That's already a lot.
BC provincial election · 2026
The provincial election was called on September 22, 2026, earlier than the fixed date of 2028. You will elect one MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for your riding. The party that wins the most of the 93 seats forms the government, and its leader becomes Premier.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sep 22 | Election called, campaign starts |
| Oct 1 | Register or update your info to get a Where to Vote card in the mail |
| Oct 3 | Candidate nominations close |
| Oct 16–21 | Advance voting |
| Oct 18 | Last day to request a vote-by-mail package |
| Oct 24 | Final Voting Day |
| Nov 6–10 | Final count (planned) |
Health care, schools and curriculum, tenant rules, minimum wage, employment standards, credential recognition and provincial funding for community and cultural programs.
Can I vote?
For the October 24 provincial election, see the BC election section.
You can register right at the voting place. Bring ID that shows your name and address. Your city lists what ID is accepted.
In Canada only citizens can vote in federal, provincial and municipal elections. But you can still make a difference:
Who's who
Short, neutral descriptions to help you get started. Always read the party's own platform before you decide.
In Vancouver you elect 1 mayor, 10 councillors, 7 park board commissioners and 9 school trustees. You can vote for as many candidates as there are seats, and you can mix parties and independents. There are also 3 capital plan questions on the ballot.
| Civic party | Mayor candidate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ABC Vancouver | Ken Sim | Current mayor (since 2022), won majorities in 2022 |
| Green Party of Vancouver | Pete Fry | City councillor since 2018 |
| OneCity Vancouver | William Azaroff | CEO of a non-profit housing provider |
| COPE | Stephanie Allen | Co-founder of Hogan's Alley Society |
| Vote Vancouver | Rebecca Bligh | City councillor since 2018 |
| Vancouver Liberals | Kareem Allam | New civic party, founded 2025 |
| TEAM for a Livable Vancouver | Colleen Hardwick | Former city councillor (2018–2022) |
| Conservative Electors Association | John Coupar | Former park board commissioner |
Other registered civic groups include TrueBlue Vancouver, Bright Future Vancouver and the Affordable Housing Coalition of Vancouver, plus independent candidates. Civic parties are not the same as the federal or provincial parties, even when the names are similar.
| City | Some civic parties on the ballot |
|---|---|
| Burnaby | Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA), Burnaby First, Burnaby Green Party, New Burnaby Party, Restore Burnaby Alliance |
| Surrey | Surrey Connect, Safe Surrey Coalition, Surrey First, Surrey NOW, Imagine Surrey, New Surrey+, Conservative Electors Association |
| Richmond | Richmond Citizens' Association, RITE Richmond, Richmond Forward, Advance Richmond, ONE Richmond, and others |
| New Westminster | Community First New West, New West Progressives |
| Delta | Achieving For Delta, Delta First, One Delta |
| Coquitlam, North Van, West Van, Port Moody… | Mostly independent candidates, check your city's candidate list |
These are the parties with seats in the Legislature (93 total) when the October 24 election was called. BC politics has changed a lot since 2024, and some MLAs have switched parties. The full list of candidates in your riding will be on Elections BC after nominations close on October 3.
Centre-left, social democratic. In government since 2017. Focus on housing supply, health care, affordability and public services.
bcndp.caCentre-right to right. Became the main opposition in 2024. Focus on lower taxes, cost of living, public safety and resource development.
conservativebc.caCentre-right, founded in 2025 as a moderate option between the NDP and the Conservatives. Its MLAs were elected as Conservatives in 2024.
centrebc.caEnvironment, climate action, social justice and electoral reform. Has worked with the NDP on some priorities.
bcgreens.caRight-wing and socially conservative. Formed in 2025 by MLAs who left the Conservative caucus.
BC United (formerly the BC Liberals) stopped campaigning in 2024 and has no seats. Official list of registered parties: Elections BC.
The main federal parties. Current government: Liberal, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
One of Canada's oldest parties. Supports multiculturalism, a mixed economy and a strong federal government, with a focus on the economy, trade and the middle class.
liberal.caFormed in 2003. Supports lower taxes, free markets, smaller government, energy development and tougher policies on crime.
conservative.caRooted in the labour movement. Pushes for expanded public health care, affordable housing, workers' rights and reducing inequality.
ndp.caDefends Quebec's interests, the French language and more provincial autonomy. You won't see it on a BC ballot.
blocquebecois.orgFocus on the transition to a green economy, renewable energy, public transit, Indigenous rights and participatory democracy.
greenparty.ca
They're two separate elections, run by different offices, with different voting places. Voting in one doesn't count for the other. Register with Elections BC for the provincial vote and bring your Where to Vote card.
Official info: elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election · Toll-free 1-800-661-8683. See the parties in the BC provincial tab below.
Your voice
Tell us, it takes 30 seconds and it's anonymous. Your answers help Latincouver understand what our community cares about.
FAQ
A majority means the governing party has more than half the seats (172 of 343 in Ottawa, 47 of 93 in BC). It can pass laws on its own.
A minority means it has the most seats but not more than half, so it needs support from other parties. Minority governments are more fragile and often lead to early elections.
This is what happened in BC in 2026: the fixed date was October 2028, but the Premier called an early election for October 24, 2026. Municipal elections in BC are never early: they are always every 4 years, in October.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. King Charles III is the symbolic head of state, represented by the Governor General (and in BC by the Lieutenant Governor). They sign laws as a formality. The real power is with the elected government.
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Provinces get their powers from the Constitution. Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) get their powers from the federal government, so they have less autonomy.
For local elections you can register at the voting place on the day. Bring two pieces of ID (at least one with your signature) or check your city's website for the accepted list. Many cities also offer advance voting days and mail ballots.
No. Voting is secret in Canada. Nobody, not your employer, landlord or the government, can know who you voted for.
Official information