It may be the most important question Nanaimo voters ask before October 17:
Who should I vote for?
Nanaimo Votes 2026 will not tell you which candidate deserves your vote. That decision belongs to you.
Our purpose is to help you look beyond campaign signs, slogans and social-media promises—and make an informed choice based on facts, priorities and each candidate’s record.
Begin With the Issues That Affect You
Before comparing candidates, decide which municipal issues matter most to you and your family.
- Property taxes and user fees
- City spending and debt
- Public safety and downtown disorder
- Roads, water, sewer and other infrastructure
- Housing and development
- Parks, recreation and community services
- City staffing and labour costs
- Government transparency and accountability
Is Nanaimo becoming more affordable, safe and well managed—or are taxpayers paying more without seeing adequate results?
Examine the Council Record
Incumbent candidates already have a public record.
Look beyond what they promise during the campaign. Examine how they voted during the past four years.
Did they support major spending and borrowing decisions? Did they question rising costs? Did they make decisions openly? Did they listen when residents objected?
A voting record tells taxpayers more than a campaign brochure because it shows what a candidate did when the decision actually mattered.
Compare the Candidates
Every candidate should be judged by the same reasonable standards.
Consider asking:
- What are the candidate’s three highest priorities?
- How would those priorities be paid for?
- What spending would the candidate reduce or postpone?
- Does the candidate support continued tax increases above inflation?
- Will the candidate support an independent Core Services Review?
- Will the candidate support a Taxpayer Affordability Study?
- What experience prepares the candidate to oversee a large municipal organization?
- Will the candidate challenge staff recommendations when necessary?
- How will the candidate improve openness and public participation?
- Has the candidate provided clear answers—or relied mainly on slogans?
Follow the Money
Every campaign promise has a cost.
When a candidate proposes a new program, facility or service, voters should ask:
- What will it cost?
- Will it require borrowing?
- What will the interest cost be?
- Will additional employees be required?
- What will it cost to operate every year?
- Which existing priority will receive less money?
- How much more will taxpayers be expected to pay?
“Government money” is taxpayer money. Borrowing does not eliminate a cost—it moves that cost, plus interest, into the future.
TAXES & SPENDING FOLLOW THE MONEY
Consider Affordability
Municipal decisions do not occur in isolation.
Residents are also facing higher costs for food, housing, insurance, utilities and transportation. Renters feel property-tax increases indirectly when increased costs are passed along through higher rents.
Candidates should explain not only what they want the City to do, but whether residents can afford to pay for it.
A responsible candidate should be able to distinguish between something that would be desirable and something Nanaimo can reasonably afford.
Look Beyond Paid Advertising
Nanaimo Votes 2026 accepts clearly identified paid candidate advertising. Purchasing advertising does not represent an endorsement by this site.
Candidate advertisements provide candidates with an opportunity to present their messages directly to voters. Readers should compare those messages with candidates’ public records, detailed platforms and answers to specific questions.
Advertising may introduce you to a candidate. It should not replace your own examination of that candidate.
Make Your Own Decision
There may be no candidate with whom you agree on every issue.
The goal is not to find a perfect candidate. It is to decide who demonstrates the soundest judgment, clearest priorities, strongest commitment to accountability and greatest respect for taxpayers.
Before casting your ballot, ask:
- Who understands the pressures facing ordinary Nanaimo residents?
- Who will ask difficult questions before spending public money?
- Who will represent citizens rather than simply defend City Hall?
- Who has earned my trust?
Then vote.
Nanaimo’s next mayor and council will make decisions affecting taxes, services, borrowing and the future of the city. Those decisions will be made whether most residents vote or stay home.
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