Candidate Debates Happening In Vancouver, Richmond, and Surrey
In a council candidates' debate hosted by WTC this week, guest moderator Michelle Cyca said, “Municipal elections are where your vote has the most proportional power, and yet fewer people exercise their voter rights in city elections compared to provincial and federal ones.”
The data shows that only about one in three Vancouverites voted in the 2022 municipal election, yet city council decisions impact our lives in so many ways. The people representing us around the council table make decisions on housing, transportation, climate action, arts and culture, and more that we interact with on a daily basis.
If you missed our debate, you can find the recording here. We asked council candidates from (almost) all major parties how they’d make progress on these issues if elected.
Candidate debates are a chance to hear directly from those seeking to represent us on city council about their priorities and values, and how they will work to create a city where we all belong if elected.
Attending these events can help you decide who to vote for. That’s why we’ve put together a roundup of candidate events happening in Vancouver. We’ve also included council and mayoral debates in Richmond and Surrey that WTC is supporting.
Take a friend, grab some dinner, and get ready to make an informed vote this October!
VANCOUVER
Vancouver Mayoral Candidate Creative Industry Forum
Hosted by: Astro Club Artist Facility
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
Location: 165 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
Take Back Your City: A Queer Townhall on the Vancouver Municipal Election
Hosted by: The Birdhouse
Date: September 20, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: The Birdhouse, 44 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
All Candidates Meeting: Mayor and Council Candidates
Hosted by: Grandview Woodland Area Council
Date: September 21, 2026
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: Britannia Community Services Centre, Gym D
Cost: Free - no registration required
Metro Vancouver Alliance 2026 Municipal Election Assembly
Hosted by: Metro Vancouver Alliance
Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: St. Andrew's Wesley United Church 1022 Nelson St #100, Vancouver
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
2026 Vancouver Municipal Election All Candidates Meeting
Hosted by: Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association
Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Mount Pleasant Community Centre, Gymnasium (1 Kingsway, Vancouver)
Cost: Free - no registration required
2026 Vancouver Election - Town Hall
Date: September 25, 2026
Time: 5:30-9:30 PM
Location: Killarney Community Centre
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
Mayoral Candidate Town Hall
Hosted by: Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Date: September 28, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 West 12th Avenue (12th & Hemlock), in the 2nd floor sanctuary
Cost: Free (pre-registration required)
All Candidates Meeting: Park and School Board Candidates
Hosted by: Grandview Woodland Area Council
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Location: Britannia Community Services Centre, Gym D
Cost: Free - no registration required
Candid Candidates: 2026 Vancouver Election
Hosted by: Global Shapers Vancouver & City Hive
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:50pm)
Location: Creekside Community Centre Multipurpose Room 4 - 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver BC
Cost: Free (pre-registration required)
YOUR VOICE YOUR VOTE: Community Symposium & Mayoral Candidates Dialogue
Hosted by: Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: John Oliver Secondary, Auditorium (530 E 41st Ave, Vancouver)
Cost: Free (pre-registration required)
Last Candidate Standing
Hosted by: Vancouver Public Space Network with support from The Tyee, Creative Mornings Vancouver, SFU City Program
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Cultch, York Theatre (1895 Venables St, Vancouver)
Cost: $25
Mayoral Mixer: A Conversation with the Candidates
Hosted by: SFU Public Square and the Tyee
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
Cost: $5
Funding Our Food Systems Well: Vancouver All Candidates Town Hall
Hosted by: Vancouver Food Justice Coalition
Date: October 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
RICHMOND
All Candidates Mayoral Debate
Hosted by: Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition
Date: October 2, 2026
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
All Candidates Councillor Debate
Hosted by: Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Online Livestream
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
SURREy
Transit & Affordability in Surrey: Municipal Election Town Hall
Hosted by: Movement and Surrey Citizen
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:30PM
Location: Surrey City Centre Library (10350 University Dr, Surrey)
Cost: Free (pre-registration)
Know of an event we should add to this list? Submit it by emailing info@womentransformingcities.org
