Trustee Electoral Areas within the 黑料福利社 District
Background
The 黑料福利社 District recognizes the letter dated March 19, 2025 from the Township of Esquimalt requesting the Minister of Education and Child Care (MOECC) to 鈥渄irect School District 61 to create an inclusive and collaborative task force to consider a Trustee Electoral Area election model for the Minister鈥檚 ultimate consideration of approval for implementation in time for the 2026 Local Government/Board of Education elections.鈥� This letter sparked additional letters of support for changes to the trustee electoral areas within the 黑料福利社 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 黑料福利社 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鈥檚 and local governments鈥� 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听, as well as the
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
听Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions, generated prior to the approval of the proposed changes.
Timeline and Engagement
- March 19, 2025 –听 The Township of Esquimalt requests the Minister of Education and Child Care to 鈥渄irect School District 61 to create an inclusive and collaborative task force to consider a Trustee Electoral Area election model for the Minister鈥檚 ultimate consideration of approval for implementation in time for the 2026 Local Government/Board of Education elections鈥�
- March – April 2025 – Additional letters of support for changes to the trustee electoral areas within the 黑料福利社 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 黑料福利社 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 黑料福利社 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听– Media Release听to announce approval of Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal
- June 2, 2026 and August 25, 2026 – School trustee information sessions for the public to learn more about the role of trustees and how candidates can run for one of nine board seats
- October 17, 2026 – Next Local General Election
Documents
Letters
- 2025_03_19_Township of Esquimalt to SD61
- 2025_03_21_View Royal to MOECC
- 2025_03_31_Esquimalt Nation to MOECC
- 2025_04_01_Songhees Nation to MOECC
- 2025_04_07_Oak Bay to MOECC
- 2025_04_28_District of Highlands to MOECC
- 2025_05_01_MOECC to Oak Bay
- 2025_05_01_MOECC to Township of Esquimalt
- 2025_05_01_MOECC to View Royal
- 2025_05_02_MOECC to Esquimalt Nation
- 2025_05_14_MOECC to Highlands
- 2025_07_22_Saanich to SD61
- 2025_09_26_GVSD to MOECC
- 2026_01_08_MOECC to GVSD
Useful Links