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Your Vote 2026
Our James Bay.
Our Victoria.
James Bay can grow without losing James Bay.
James Bay already combines apartments, rental housing, heritage homes, tourism, neighbourhood shops and waterfront public space. Major zoning changes should come with meaningful consultation, clear trade-offs and infrastructure that keeps pace.
◎Zoning & Consultation
⌂Heritage & Character
+Infrastructure & Livability
⚓Cruise Traffic
✓Rental Housing
Who We Are
A grassroots movement by the people, for the people.
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Our James Bay, Our Victoria is a non-ideological grassroots movement focused on how Victoria City Council makes decisions that shape one of the city's oldest and most distinctive neighbourhoods.
We support more housing and a growing city, but James Bay already carries a complex mix of density, rental housing, heritage, tourism and waterfront activity. Residents deserve honest information, meaningful consultation and planning that works in the real world.
More homes. Real consultation. Protect what works.
James Bay is already changing
New density, heritage, rental housing, tourism and public space all meet here.
New density, heritage, rental housing, tourism and public space all meet here.
Why This Election Matters
A major upzoning deserves a serious conversation.
Victoria 2050 now enables generally up to four-storey infill across residential areas, while Priority Growth Areas and James Bay Village policies contemplate forms up to six storeys. That is a significant change in a neighbourhood that already contains a wide range of densities.
Good growth is possible. But it requires clear rules, genuine consultation, protection for rental and heritage assets, and infrastructure planning before the consequences show up on local streets, parks and services.
The question is not whether James Bay changes. It is how.
James Bay Zoning & Consultation
Upzoning needs consultation, context and a plan.
James Bay can add homes while protecting what makes the neighbourhood work. The new policy framework allows considerably more low-rise and mid-rise housing. Residents should be able to see where that growth is expected, what it means for existing rental and heritage properties, and how streets, transit, parks and services will keep pace.
What We Believe
Seven James Bay priorities for responsible growth.
Zoning & Real Consultation
Broad upzoning should come with clear maps, understandable trade-offs and evidence that resident input can change outcomes.
Heritage & Character
James Bay's historic homes, mature gardens and human-scale streets are assets. New housing should add to them, not erase them by default.
Infrastructure & Livability
Match population growth with sidewalks, sewers, transit, parks, public space, local services and safe mobility.
Cruise Ships & Traffic
GVHA projected 335 cruise calls and just over one million passengers in 2026. Tourism matters, and so do local traffic, noise and neighbourhood impacts.
Protect Rental Housing
James Bay contains a large share of Victoria's rental housing. Redevelopment should add homes without casually displacing existing renters.
Waterfront, Trees & Public Space
Protect public access, mature trees, parks and the shoreline qualities that make James Bay a neighbourhood rather than simply a development zone.
Accountable Government
Explain what changed, why it changed, how consultation was weighed and whether public commitments were actually delivered.
Transparency
Why these candidates?
We review candidates based on municipal issues: neighbourhood consultation, housing and zoning, heritage, infrastructure, rental housing, transparency, public safety, responsible management and respect for residents. We may not agree with every candidate on every issue.
Independent civic candidates
Our support is based on local issues and the individual candidate, not a provincial political-party banner or ideology.
You do not have to vote for every candidate
Learn about the candidates, vote only for the people you support, and make your choices strategically.
Mayor
Candidate reviewCouncil
Current vetted candidates · Alphabetical by surnameWendy Bowkett
Candidate for Council
Wendy is a community advocate and business strategist who is running for a City Hall that listens, makes transparent decisions, and focuses on public safety, livability, affordability, and public trust.
Visit campaign websiteMelissa Cseszko
Candidate for Council
A Victoria-born downtown small business owner focused on rebuilding safety, restoring accountability and bringing practical leadership back to City Hall.
Visit campaign websiteMarg Gardiner Incumbent
Councillor seeking re-election
A current Victoria councillor with extensive neighbourhood-association experience, focused on safe streets, liveable neighbourhoods, respect for taxpayers and transparent governance.
Visit campaign websiteStephen Hammond Incumbent
Councillor seeking re-election
A Victoria councillor since 2022, lawyer by training and community volunteer focused on public safety, affordable taxes and housing that works for Victoria.
Visit campaign websiteArthur McInnis
Candidate for Council
A law professor and former international construction and projects lawyer focused on public-interest decision-making, accountability, infrastructure and public safety.
Visit campaign websiteKaren Rothe
Candidate for Council
A Victoria council candidate focused on restoring public trust, listening to residents, protecting neighbourhoods and improving planning, affordability and public safety.
Visit campaign websiteAdditional Candidates
Vetting in progressVetting in progress
Additional council candidates
Additional candidates may be added as the review process continues.
We encourage every voter to review each candidate's full platform before casting a ballot.
James Bay can grow without losing James Bay.
Help elect a council that supports housing, listens before major zoning changes, protects renters and heritage, plans infrastructure and makes decisions in the open.
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Vote for Change 2026 ✓
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