Letter from Ministry of Education and Child Care regarding Trustee Electoral Areas

April 1, 2026 Ref: 315889

By Email: info@viewroyal.ca

Dear Mayor and Council:

As you may know, on January 28, 2026, the Minister of Education and Child Care approved a Ministerial Order establishing seven trustee electoral areas (TEAs) in School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) (SD 61) and maintaining the current nine trustee seats. This Ministerial Order (M18/26) is attached for your reference. These changes are in place for the upcoming 2026 general school election scheduled for October 17, 2026.

The TEA changes set out in the Order were originally proposed to the Minister in September 2025 by Sherri Bell, the Official Trustee in SD 61, to improve local representation on the board of education. The proposal was the result of the efforts of an established Task Force that included representatives from Greater Victoria School District, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, the municipalities of Esquimalt, Highlands, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, and View Royal, as well as the Capital Regional District.

Responsibility for conducting elections is set out under sections 37 and 38 of the School Act. Municipalities may wish to engage with SD 61 staff regarding procedures for conducting the upcoming trustee elections.

Yours truly,

Kiersten Fisher Executive Director Governance, Legislation and Workforce

Attachment: Ministerial Order (M18/26)