British Columbians may be accustomed to election season. This October, they are getting two at once.
On October 17, BC voters will elect mayors, councillors, electoral area directors, and school trustees for their communities. Just one week later, on October 24, those same voters go back to the polls to pick their community’s MLA.
Concurrent campaigns means more than just an unusually busy political calendar. It also means candidates, campaigns, and organizations will be competing for voters’ attention at the same time, often on different dimensions of the same issue.
While the party and candidate names on the ballots will be different, many of the policy conversations on the campaign trail will feel familiar and similar.
When local issues become provincial issues
Local and provincial issues in BC have become increasingly connected, particularly in recent years. From housing and public safety, to cost of living and affordability, governments at all levels have a role in addressing these complex issues that affect their constituents.
During a typical election cycle, candidates at one level of government can have these conversations with voters independently. This October, the municipal and provincial conversations are happening at the same time.
While the dual election season this month might make the jurisdictional divides between levels of government blurry for an average voter, candidates and political parties are still expected to propose effective policies that will address the issues that matter.
The caveat, of course, is what defines “effective” government policy. Many local campaigns are running with policy platforms that call for action from the provincial (or even federal) government. If anything, this dynamic highlights the complex and interconnected nature of policy work and emphasizes the reality that our elected officials across all levels of government need to work together to represent the needs of their constituents.
A competition for attention
Two election campaigns happening simultaneously means a crowded political environment, with greater competition for voters’ attention.
Leading up to election day, local candidates will be looking for opportunities to continue their months-long engagement with voters at the same time provincial parties are quickly organizing to make announcements, release policy platforms, and invest heavily in voter outreach. Not to mention that community organizations, business groups, unions, and advocacy organizations will also be working to put their priorities in front of both groups of candidates.
Even the voting periods will overlap. Advance voting in the provincial general election begins on October 16 – the day before the general voting day for local government elections – which means some British Columbians will cast their provincial ballot before they vote for their mayor, council, and school trustees.
Could local results shape the provincial campaign?
The order of the two elections adds another interesting dynamic. Once local election results come in on October 17, the provincial campaign will still have one week remaining. And it will be a busy week for the provincial campaign, with several debates already being scheduled around that week, so provincial campaigns will be watching the local election results closely.
Are incumbents being returned or are voters looking for change? Which issues are driving local races? Are there noticeable differences between fast-growing communities, major urban centres, suburbs, and smaller or rural communities?
Local elections are not proxies for provincial elections, but they may be a good litmus test on where the electorate is at on various policies and issues.
With only a week remaining before the provincial vote, clear trends emerging from the local elections could influence where parties focus their attention, where leaders spend their time, and which issues they emphasize in the closing days of the provincial campaign.
What does it mean for organizations engaging with government?
For organizations with advocacy priorities at either or both levels of government, the currrent concurrent campaigns mean strategy and focus matter more than ever. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Be clear about who can act
Issues may cross jurisdictional boundaries, but advocacy asks still needs to be specific. Organizations should understand what they are asking local governments to do, what requires provincial action, and where progress depends on the two working together.
Keep the message simple
Candidates, political staff, media, and stakeholders will be sifting through enormous volumes of information throughout both campaigns. Organizations will need to be clear about the problem they are trying to solve, the action they are seeking, and why it matters to the voters that the candidates hope to represent.
Understand how priorities differ across BC communities
Province-wide issues rarely look the same in every community. Public safety pressures in urban areas, infrastructure needs in fast-growing municipalities, and economic development priorities in rural and resource-dependent regions can lead to very different political conversations, even when they are connected to the same provincial policy.
Be mindful of the campaign environment
Associations, non-profits, businesses, and public sector organizations should understand the rules and internal protocols that apply to their election period activities. Organizations should also consider how they can continue to provide useful information to candidates and parties while maintaining a consistent, non-partisan approach.
Start planning for post-election season now
Election day is not the finish line for government relations. Almost immediately after the results are in, newly elected municipal councils will be establishing priorities. The next provincial government will be translating campaign commitments into mandates, budgets, and policy decisions.
The weeks immediately following the October 2026 elections is an important window for teams to adapt and execute their refreshed government relations plans.
Two ballots, two levels of government, one political environment
The issues occupying voters this month do not fit neatly within jurisdictional boundaries. Issues at top of mind for British Columbians such as affordability, economic development, and sustainable public services all depend on decisions made by both local and provincial governments.
For candidates at all levels and across the political spectrum, it will be imperative and strategic to pursue stronger partnerships across partisan affiliations and all levels of government to deliver on their mandate.
For organizations looking to advance their public affairs priorities, it is important to understand not only who makes the decision on their policy issue, but also the political and community considerations shaping it.
Hilltop can Help
By the end of October 2026, British Columbia will have a renewed political landscape at both the local and provincial levels. November will be the time to assess what changed, what stayed the same, and what those results mean for their government relations priorities. If your organization is looking to refresh its government relations and engagement plan following the elections, Hilltop can help.
With staff working across party lines and in regions representing the province (P.S. I live in the Interior!), we are perfectly positioned to help you assess the new landscape, identify opportunities, and build a practical engagement strategy for what comes next. Reach out today.