Wednesday March 19, 2025 | ESQUIMALT, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Eight people are taking part as candidates in the Township of Esquimalt by-election this month, to fill one vacant council seat.
The election date is Saturday April 5, 2025.
The candidates are:
- Ed Avery
- Cornelis Daniel Bouman
- Meagan Dorothy Brame
- Holly Courtright
- Marcus McCullough
- James Thomas Myers
- Shawn Stewart
- Kody Thomson
Rotchford / Brame:
The council vacancy opened up a result of former Councillor Darlene Rotchford’s resignation when she was elected to the provincial legislature in the October 2024 provincial election as MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood.
A former Esquimalt councillor, Meagan Brame, tried her hand at running for a provincial legislature seat. She was a BC United candidate and when that party collapsed last summer her provincial campaign was ended. Brame now hopes to return to municipal council after having already served four terms on Esquimalt council (up to 2022).
Voting in advance / voting day:
- Mail Ballots – Applications have been accepted starting February 18 and must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Saturday April 5, 2025. The Vote by Mail form can be downloaded from the Township of Esquimalt website.
- Advanced Voting 1 – Wednesday March 26, 2025 – 1070 Tillicum Road, Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- Advanced Voting 2 – Wednesday April 2, 2025 – 1151 Esquimalt Road, Archie Browning Sports Centre Curling Arena (entrance at back parking lot) from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- General Voting Day – Saturday April 5, 2025 – 527 Fraser St, Esquimalt Recreation Centre Gym from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Current council:
The current Esquimalt Council is led by long-time Mayor Barb Desjardins (elected 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2022).
- One councillor, Tom Morrison, has also been on council since 2008.
- Councillors Ken Armour and Jacob Helliwell are both in their second term (elected 2018 and 2022).
- New first-term councillors (elected in 2022) are Andrea Boardman and Duncan Cavens.
Next municipal election:
The next full municipal election across BC comes up in October 2026.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: ESQUIMALT | BC MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2026