Trustee Electoral Area(s)

Trustee Electoral Areas within the Greater Victoria School District

Background

The Greater Victoria School District recognizes the letter dated March 19, 2025 from the Township of Esquimalt requesting the Minister of Education and Child Care (MOECC) to “direct School District 61 to create an inclusive and collaborative task force to consider a Trustee Electoral Area election model for the Minister’s ultimate consideration of approval for implementation in time for the 2026 Local Government/Board of Education elections.” This letter sparked additional letters of support for changes to the trustee electoral areas within the Greater Victoria School District expressed by Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, and most municipalities that lie within the district. These letters are linked near the bottom of this webpage.

Upon receiving direction from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the Official Trustee formed a Task Force consisting of representatives of the Greater Victoria School District, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, the municipalities of Esquimalt, Highlands, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, and View Royal, as well as the Capital Regional District. Task Force meetings allowed for discussion that resulted in a proposed variation to trustee electoral areas. This proposed variation was communicated to the public through an online feedback form beginning August 5, 2025 and during in-person engagement session on September 9, 2025.

The Task Force discussions and public engagement resulted in the submission of a Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal which was submitted on September 26, 2025 and was approved by the Minister of Education and Child Care on January 8, 2026. The approved model is summarized below.

The Task Force discussions and now-approved changes honour the District’s and local governments’ commitment to active participation in truth and reconciliation and the importance of working with Indigenous People and Rightsholders to support self-governance. This work aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) final report and its 94 Calls to Action, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Approved Electoral Model as of January 8, 2026

1. The new model includes seven trustee electoral areas based on existing municipal and First Nations boundaries.

2. There are no changes to the number of trustees, which remain at nine.

3. The nine trustee seats are distributed amongst the seven electoral areas as follows:

    • Esquimalt Nation (1 Trustee)
    • Songhees Nation (1 Trustee)
    • Highlands / View Royal (1 Trustee)
    • Esquimalt (1 Trustee)
    • Victoria (2 Trustees)
    • Saanich (2 Trustees)
    • Oak bay (1 Trustee)

4. A map to support with visualizing the electoral areas is provided below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions, generated prior to the approval of the proposed changes. More information about election logistics will be shared with the public soon. In the meantime, the public can submit questions to community@sd61.bc.ca.

 

Timeline and Engagement

  • March 19, 2025 –  The Township of Esquimalt requests the Minister of Education and Child Care to “direct School District 61 to create an inclusive and collaborative task force to consider a Trustee Electoral Area election model for the Minister’s ultimate consideration of approval for implementation in time for the 2026 Local Government/Board of Education elections”
  • March – April 2025 – Additional letters of support for changes to the trustee electoral areas within the Greater Victoria School District are expressed by Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, and most municipalities that lie within the district
  • May – September 2025 – The Task Force meets to discuss potential changes to the current trustee electoral areas and develop proposed changes for community feedback
  • August 5, 2025 – Media Advisory issued by Task Force announces upcoming public engagement session on September 9, 2025 to gain feedback on proposed changes
  • August 5, 2025 – Online feedback form opens for those unable to make the public engagement session
  • September 9, 2025 – Public Engagement Session from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at SJ Willis in the gymnasium (923 Topaz Avenue) co-hosted and attended by the Greater Victoria School District, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, the municipalities of Esquimalt, Highlands, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, and View Royal, as well as the Capital Regional District (CRD).
  • September 11, 2025 – Online feedback form closes for those unable to make the public engagement session on September 9, 2025
  • September 11 – 30, 2025 – Task Force reviews public feedback on proposed changes
  • September 26, 2025 – Official Trustee of the Greater Victoria School District submits a Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal to the Ministry ahead of the September 30, 2025 due date
  • January 8, 2026 – The Minister of Education and Child Care approve the Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal
  • January 14, 2026 – Media Release to announce approval of Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal
  • TBD – Upcoming information sessions and opportunities for the public to learn more about election logistics, how to become a school trustee, and changes voters can expect
  • October 17, 2026 – Next Local General Election

 

Documents

 

Letters

 

Useful Links

Disclaimer

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