Step Forward for Our Schools, Families and Communities
On October 17, 2026, British Columbians will elect hundreds of school trustees, councillors and mayors. The nomination period opens September 1 and closes September 11. The opportunity is directly in front of us.
You may be far more qualified to serve than you realize. No previous political experience is required. These are paid positions. Training and resources are available. The time commitment can be manageable, particularly for trustees and councillors, and many positions have historically been filled without anyone even running against the successful candidate.
This letter explains why these positions matter, what they actually involve, what they pay, how much time they can require, and how to take the first step.
As Leader of the Christian Heritage Party of BC, I believe public service provides an important opportunity to bring hope to our communities and demonstrate the principles Christ taught us: truth, justice, compassion, courage, responsibility and love for our neighbour.
This is our opportunity to step forward, serve our communities, defend children and families, and bring integrity, courage and moral clarity to the tables where important decisions are being made.
Who Sits at the Table Matters
School trustees establish policy, approve budgets and help determine the direction of the school districts responsible for educating our children.
Councillors and mayors make decisions involving taxation, housing, zoning, policing, recreation, public spaces, bylaws, community programs and the long term direction of our communities.
These decisions are not morally neutral.
They involve fundamental questions about human dignity, responsibility, freedom, justice, family, children and the common good.
Our communities need people at these tables who are prepared to think carefully, ask difficult questions, exercise sound judgment and stand firmly when necessary.
If we want better decisions, we must be willing to become decision makers.
FACT: All Too Often Nobody Else Runs, and Seats Are Acclaimed
The numbers from the last election should get our attention.
In the 2022 B.C. local elections, 118 of the province’s 412 school trustees were acclaimed. That is almost three out of every ten trustees who took office without an electoral contest.
The same election saw 37 B.C. mayors acclaimed because only one person put their name forward for mayor in those communities.
Think about what that means.
Sometimes the greatest obstacle is not winning an election.
It is finding someone willing to run.
There is also an advantage to starting early. Get your name out, begin speaking with people, gather support and establish yourself as a serious candidate. A strong candidate who announces early can influence whether other potential candidates decide to enter the race.
This is key.
Do not wait to see who else runs before deciding whether you will.
Step forward and give your community a choice.
You Do Not Need to Be a Politician
You do not need a political science degree.
You do not need previous elected experience.
You do not need to know everything about municipal government or the education system before putting your name forward.
Generally, a candidate must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, have lived in British Columbia for at least six months, and not otherwise be legally disqualified from holding office.
Candidate handbooks, forms, online training and information sessions are available. Elections BC already has its 2026 candidate resources online.
Once elected, there are further orientation and professional development opportunities to help new officials understand governance, finance, procedure and their responsibilities.
You are not expected to arrive knowing everything. You are expected to be willing to learn and prepared to serve.
These Are Paid Positions
This is also important: school trustee, councillor and mayor are paid positions.
Compensation varies significantly from one community to another.
A 2026 BCSTA survey of 55 school districts found average annual trustee remuneration of approximately $22,323, with higher average compensation for vice chairs and board chairs.
Municipal compensation varies even more.
For example, in 2026:
Sidney: Mayor $47,314; Councillor $18,899 annually.
Central Saanich: Mayor $64,092; Councillor $28,092 annually.
Some municipalities also provide extended health, dental and other benefits.
The point is not to run for the money. Public service carries significant responsibility.
But if you have dismissed the possibility because you assumed these were unpaid volunteer positions, look again. Serving may be much more practical than you thought.
What About the Time Commitment?
The workload depends greatly on the community and position.
School trustees attend board and committee meetings, review meeting materials, participate in community events and respond to concerns. The workload can vary considerably between school districts.
Councillors similarly prepare for council meetings, attend committees and public hearings, meet residents and participate in community events. Many councillor positions remain compatible with other employment, although the workload can be significant.
Mayors carry considerably greater responsibilities. In larger municipalities, the position is normally effectively full time and may involve more than normal full time hours.
Before deciding that you do not have the time, find out what the position actually requires in your community by checking your local municipality and school district websites.
It Can Also Be a Beginning
Local government is one of the best places to learn public leadership.
A trustee or councillor gains firsthand experience with governance, policy, budgets, public speaking, media, campaigning, constituent concerns, negotiation, leadership and making difficult decisions in public.
That experience can prepare someone to take greater responsibility later.
A school trustee or councillor can go on to serve as a mayor, MLA, MP or in other significant leadership positions.
We need capable people entering public life at every level. Local office provides an opportunity to begin where you live, learn how government actually functions, establish a record of service and earn the trust of your community.
You do not have to begin by changing the country. Begin by serving your community well.
My Own Experience
I became very involved in the 2018 school board elections as SOGI 123 was being expanded throughout British Columbia.
That experience reinforced something very clearly for me:
Who sits at the table matters.
People with strong political and social convictions understand the influence these positions carry. They organize, find candidates and put their names forward.
If others understand the importance of these offices, we must understand their importance as well.
If a seat matters, someone willing to defend what matters must be prepared to occupy it.
Our schools and communities need leaders who will protect children, strengthen families, respect parents, defend human dignity, exercise fiscal responsibility and have the courage to question prevailing ideas when those ideas are wrong.
For me, this is also part of what it means to bring Christian principles into public life: not merely speaking about truth, justice and love of neighbour, but being willing to accept responsibility where those principles are put into practice.
Public leadership requires more than criticism from the sidelines.
It requires people willing to step onto the field.
The Window Is Now
The 2026 B.C. General Local Elections are Saturday, October 17.
Nomination period opens: September 1, 2026
Nomination deadline: September 11, 2026
General Voting Day: October 17, 2026
Nomination information is available now through your local municipality or school district. Elections BC also provides candidate handbooks, forms, training and campaign financing information online.
Anyone beginning a campaign should also become familiar with Elections BC’s election advertising and campaign financing requirements.
Do not wait until September 11.
Get the candidate package. Learn what is required. Talk with your family and people you trust. Find out what the position involves in your community.
Then decide whether you are prepared to take responsibility and put your name forward.
When we look at our schools, families and communities and say, “Someone needs to do something.”
This is our opportunity. Interested? Let’s Have a Conversation.
If you are thinking about running for school trustee, councillor or mayor, or simply want to understand what taking the first step would involve, CHP BC is here to encourage you and help direct you toward the right information and resources.
I was deeply involved in the 2018 school board elections and would be glad to share what I learned, discuss what running involves and help you understand where to begin.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Contact me directly:
Christian McCay
Christian Heritage Party of British Columbia
christian246@hotmail.com
