The 2026 Local Government Election is Underway.

Farmers, Your Voice Matters.

The 2026 local government election process has officially begun, and the Cowichan Agricultural Society is strongly encouraging farmers, farm families, agritourism operators, agricultural businesses, and everyone who cares about the future of agriculture and food security in the Cowichan Valley to get involved. We are providing the following non-partisan information to help farming community members assess candidates seeking election to local government in the Cowichan Valley.

On Saturday, October 17, voters will elect representatives across the Cowichan Valley, including Electoral Area Directors for the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), as well as mayors and councillors in North Cowichan and other municipalities.

For agriculture, this election is particularly important.

Over the past several years, CAS has been actively advocating on issues that directly affect the future of farming in our region, including the CVRD Modernized Official Community Plan (MOCP), Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB), water security, farm housing, agritourism and accommodations, farm diversification, agricultural economic development, regulatory barriers, food security and food sovereignty, and the need for meaningful agricultural representation in local government decision-making.

Following significant community concern, work on the MOCP and CZB was paused earlier this year until after the October election and development of the next CVRD Strategic Plan. This means the people elected this October will have an important role in determining how this work proceeds.

The decisions made during the next four years could shape what farmers are permitted to do on their land, whether farms can diversify and grow, whether farm families and workers can live on farms, how agricultural water needs are addressed, how agritourism and tourism develop, and how agriculture and food security are considered in regional planning for years to come.

This is an important opportunity for the agricultural community to make its voice heard.

Meet Your Candidates

CAS strongly encourages members to learn who is running in their area, contact candidates directly, attend all-candidates meetings and community forums, and ask candidates specifically about agriculture.

Ask Candidates About Agriculture

It is easy during an election campaign for candidates to say that they "support farmers." This election is our opportunity to ask what that support will mean in practice.

Below are topics that are important to ask the candidates about:

• The future of the MOCP and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw;
• Restoring meaningful agricultural representation at the CVRD;
• Regional water storage, agricultural water security and infrastructure;
• Reducing red tape, permitting delays and regulatory costs;
• Improving customer service, accountability and regulatory culture within local government;
• Supporting agricultural businesses, investment and economic development;
• Farm diversification, processing, direct sales and farm-to-table businesses;
• Agritourism both within and outside the ALR;
• Farm stays and agritourism accommodations;
• Multi-generational farm housing, leasehold farmers and farm worker housing;
• Farm succession and opportunities for the next generation;
• ALR subdivision and the future accessibility of farmland;
• Local government advocacy to the Province and Agricultural Land Commission;
• Food security, food sovereignty and regional food infrastructure; and
• Tourism development and the need for more diverse visitor accommodation throughout the Cowichan Valley.

You don't need to cover every topics in your questions. Choose the issues that matter most to your farm, your family and your community. Most importantly, ask candidates for specific commitments and actions, not simply whether they support agriculture.

Tourism and Agriculture Are Connected

We also encourage members to ask candidates how they intend to support responsible tourism development.

Cowichan continues to face a significant shortage of visitor accommodation. When visitors cannot stay in the region, we lose more than a room night—we lose spending at farms, wineries, restaurants, shops, attractions, events and other local businesses.

Addressing this issue requires more than a few new large conventional hotels. Cowichan needs a diverse accommodation ecosystem that complements the character of our communities and the experiences visitors come here to enjoy, including farm stays, boutique hotels, small resorts, spas, wellness retreats, and other unique experiential accommodations.

Local government has an important role to play by creating clear zoning and development pathways, reducing regulatory uncertainty, improving permitting processes and encouraging responsible private investment.

For farmers and agritourism businesses, this matters. Our ability to develop Cowichan as a leading culinary and agritourism destination depends on visitors being able to stay here, experience the region, and spend time in our communities rather than simply driving through.

When and Where to Vote

General Voting Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

CVRD Electoral Areas A–I

Advance voting will be held:

Wednesday, October 7
Tuesday, October 13
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Voting locations vary depending on your Electoral Area. Please consult the CVRD's official 2026 election information before voting for the location applicable to you.

Eligible voters may also apply to vote by mail. Completed mail ballots must be received by the CVRD no later than 8:00 p.m. on October 17.

North Cowichan

Advance voting:

Wednesday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 13
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
North Cowichan Municipal Hall
7030 Trans-Canada Highway

General Voting Day:

Saturday, October 17
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

North Cowichan voters may vote at:

• Chemainus Secondary School — 9947 Daniel Street, Chemainus
• Crofton Firehall — 1681 Robert Street, Crofton
• École Mount Prevost School — 6177 Somenos Road
• Maple Bay Elementary School — 1500 Donnay Drive
• North Cowichan Municipal Hall — 7030 Trans-Canada Highway
• Quw’utsun Secondary School — 2003 University Way

Mail ballot voting is also available.

Your Vote Matters

Local governments make decisions that affect farmers every day: whether farms can grow and diversify, what activities are permitted on agricultural land, whether farmers and workers can live on farms, whether water and infrastructure are available to support food production, how long approvals take, how much they cost, how businesses are treated when dealing with local government, and whether agriculture has a meaningful voice in community planning.

The next CVRD Board will also inherit significant unfinished work, including decisions about the MOCP and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw.

We have an opportunity now to ask candidates where they stand before we elect them.

Please take the time to:

• Learn about your candidates;
• Attend an all-candidates meeting;
• Contact candidates directly;
• Ask them about agriculture;
• Share CAS's candidate questions with your neighbours and fellow farmers; and
• Most importantly, vote.

The next four years matter.