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Municipal Boundary Extension

Reconciliation City Council consideration on Feb 23, 2026

Background

As a result of this motion, the current municipal election in 2026 will be the first time that people living on Snuneymuxw First Nations reserve lands will be able to vote for Mayor and Council in Nanaimo’s municipal elections. Previously, they could only vote for regional school board trustees and a regional director for Area C of the Regional District of Nanaimo. Clearly, excluding Snuneymuxw from the city limits has been an oversight that has lasted far too long. Just like every other area of the city, Snuneymuxw is impacted every day by Nanaimo City Council’s policies. This change is a necessary step towards reconciliation. Reconciliation is essential for a resilient and safe community for all.

Item Description

That Council:

1.Direct the Corporate Officer, or their designate, to undertake an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for a municipal boundary extension.

2.Determine the total number of electors of the area to which the approval process applies (the whole of the City of Nanaimo) to be 79,569.

3.Establish a deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026 for receiving elector response forms.

4.Approve the elector response form as outlined in Attachment A of the Staff Report titled Municipal Boundary Extension, dated 2026-FEB-23.

5.Endorse the AAP Communication and Engagement Strategy as outlined in Attachment C of the Staff Report titled Municipal Boundary Extension, dated 2026-FEB-23.

Votes cast ‘In Favour’ are labeled as 'Climate-Positive' for the climate.