Candidate sessions are designed to help hopeful mayors and councillors learn more about what it's like to be an elected official, as well as obtain requirements for the election process. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

candidate basics

More local government candidate sessions coming up

Aug 11, 2026 | 1:59 PM

NANAIMO — A final candidates’ info forum offered jointly by the City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo takes place this week.

The in-person session happens Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre’s Grand Strathcona Room at 1155 Resort Dr. in Parksville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Designed to showcase what being an elected official for a municipality or the Regional District is like, the sessions also offer key information about requirements of the election process.

Pre-registration is not required.

The City and RDN hosted the first of two candidate info sessions last month at the RDN’s board chambers.

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The Town of Qualicum Beach hosts a similar forum on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Council Chambers at 660 Primrose St.

Interested candidates are encouraged to RSVP by the day before the session at elections@qualicumbeach.com.

The City of Parksville hosts a candidates’ info session on Sept. 2 at City Hall between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., with those interested encouraged to RSVP at election-official@parksville.ca.

The nomination filing period is between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11 province-wide.

General voting day is on Saturday, Oct. 17, to elect municipal, Regional District, and School Board representatives.

While not a sure-fire indication of how many candidates will be on the ballot to elect the next Nanaimo City Council, it appears interest is brisk.

As of mid-day on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the City informed NanaimoNewsNOW 25 nomination packages had been collected, while nine had been retrieved from the City of Parksville.

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by Ian Holmes

More local government candidate sessions coming up

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