B.C. Election 2026: Vancouver Island ridings could be up for grabs

It's election day across B.C. and voters on Vancouver Island are headed to the polls. Photo by Destination BC

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It’s election day across B.C. and voters on Vancouver Island are headed to the polls.

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On this page, you’ll see updates for the following Vancouver Island ridings:

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• Courtenay-Comox
• Cowichan Valley
• Esquimalt-Colwood
• Juan de Fuca-Malahat
• Ladysmith-Oceanside
• Langford-Highlands
• Mid Island-Pacific Rim
• Nanaimo-Gabriola
• Nanaimo-Lantzville
• North Island
• Oak Bay-Gordon Head
• Saanich North and Islands
• Saanich South
• Victoria-Beacon Hill
• Victoria-Swan Lake

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For everything you need to know about how and when to vote in the provincial election, click HERE.

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If you’re still undecided on who to vote for, check out our voters’ guide and read up on the major issues and priorities within B.C.

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Then follow along our live-blog HERE throughout the day and night for the latest election day news across the Metro Vancouver region, and check back here where we’ll keep this post updated all night with election results and reaction from ridings on Vancouver Island.

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Vancouver Island has long been a stronghold for the B.C. NDP, but this election will test whether the governing party can maintain its dominance or whether the Conservatives can make further inroads.

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In 2024, the Conservatives broke through in Courtenay-Comox and North Island, narrowly winning both ridings, while the Greens held Saanich North. The other 12 ridings were won by the NDP.

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Recent polls show the Conservatives ahead of the NDP, but it remains to be seen how polls translate into seats. With most Island ridings traditionally leaning NDP, even a small Conservative gain could signal a shift in the region’s political landscape.

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Here are the races worth watching on election night, particularly where the Conservatives made gains in 2024, where the Greens hope to retain a foothold, and where narrow margins could leave incumbents vulnerable.

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Courtenay-Comox

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Brennan Day’s 2024 win over NDP incumbent Ronna-Rae Leonard was the tightest race on Vancouver Island. Day defeated Leonard by just 93 votes, or by two-tenths of a percentage point.

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Day briefly left the Conservative caucus earlier this summer and sat as an Independent before rejoining the party under the leadership of Lorne Doerkson, who united the party after a wave of caucus departures and the resignation of previous leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

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The NDP is running Will Cole-Hamilton who brings municipal-government experience to the race as two-term councillor for Courtenay and chair of the Comox Valley Regional District.

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The Greens are represented by veterinarian and environmental advocate Jay Van Oostdam, who placed third in 2024, while Jason Cook, a finance professional, is running for CentreBC.

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Cowichan Valley

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In 2024, the NDP’s Debra Toporowski won the seat with 40.5 per cent of the vote, ahead of the Conservatives (37.6 per cent) and Greens (19.8 per cent).