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The District of Clearwater

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October Is Election Time

The 2026 General Local Election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Clearwater voters will elect 1 Mayor and 6 Councillors.

Ready to get involved?

Click here for Municipal Election Information

Vote. Run for office. Make your voice count.

Election information at a glance:

Voting information and dates Meet the Candidates

CLEARWATER Votes 2026

Make your mark this October by voting in the:

Advanced Polls – October 7th, 2026, at Dutch Lake Community Centre – Gym, 8am to 8pm; or

General Voting Day – October 17th, 2026, at Dutch Lake Community Centre – Gym, 8am to 8pm.

October is election time

Every four years, Clearwater voters choose a mayor and six councillors. These leaders make the decisions that shape daily life—from municipal services to bylaws and investments of public dollars.

Why vote?

Voting is your opportunity to help shape the future of Clearwater and to have a say in decisions that affect your community.

  • Support the priorities and issues that matter most to you
  • Help guide how local services and infrastructure are planned and delivered
  • Ensure your perspectives are represented in Council decisions
  • Your vote can influence services, taxes and key decisions for the next four years. Be part of the decision!

Your vote is an important part of how Clearwater grows and evolves.

Make your voice count.

Show up. Shape your Community - Vote and help us get out the vote.

Who Actually Does What?

With the provincial election just seven days after the municipal election – are you confused as to who does what?

Voting can be easier if you know which level of government makes what decisions!

MunicipalityCities, Towns, Districts & Villages Regional DistrictMade up of Electoral Areas, member municipalities and Treaty First Nations (if applicable) ProvincialBritish Columbia FederalCanada
Key Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Key Responsibilities
  • Water quality & supply
  • Liquid waste (local)
  • Solid waste
  • Fire Protection
  • Road Mtce & transit
  • Land Use Planning - Zoning and permits
  • Parks & recreation
  • Local laws (eg: bylaws)
  • Policing/community safety (over 5,000)
  • Solid Waste (regional)
  • Regional water & liquid waste services
  • Regional Parks
  • Emergency management
  • Rural land use & planning
  • Local Laws (eg: bylaws)
  • Policing/community safety
  • Health Care
  • Education
  • Highways
  • Justice
  • Provincial laws, including legislation that establishes the local government framework in BC
  • Income tax
  • Banking
  • Immigration
  • Military
  • Federal laws (eg: Species at Risk Act, Criminal Code; Constitution Act)
Why it Matters
  • Directly shapes neighborhood’s, local services, and daily quality of life
 Why it Matters
  • Provides local governance to the rural areas of the province
  • Balances local priorities with regional collaboration
 Why it Matters
  • Provincial laws, grants, and approval processes can influence the scope & process of local decision-making
 Why it Matters
  • Federal laws programs can apply to local governments
  • Grant contribution programs support local governments to meet their objectives, such as infrastructure and climate change adaptation.

Municipality

Cities, Towns, Districts & Villages

Key Responsibilities
  • Water quality & supply
  • Liquid waste (local)
  • Solid waste
  • Fire Protection
  • Road Mtce & transit
  • Land Use Planning - Zoning and permits
  • Parks & recreation
  • Local laws (eg: bylaws)
  • Policing/community safety (over 5,000)
Why it Matters
  • Directly shapes neighborhood’s, local services, and daily quality of life

Regional District

Made up of Electoral Areas, member municipalities and Treaty First Nations (if applicable)

Key Responsibilities
  • Solid Waste (regional)
  • Regional water & liquid waste services
  • Regional Parks
  • Emergency management
  • Rural land use & planning
  • Local Laws (eg: bylaws)
  • Policing/community safety
Why it Matters
  • Provides local governance to the rural areas of the province
  • Balances local priorities with regional collaboration

Provincial

British Columbia

Key Responsibilities
  • Health Care
  • Education
  • Highways
  • Justice
  • Provincial laws, including legislation that establishes the local government framework in BC
Why it Matters
  • Provincial laws, grants, and approval processes can influence the scope & process of local decision-making

Federal

Canada

Key Responsibilities
  • Income tax
  • Banking
  • Immigration
  • Military
  • Federal laws (eg: Species at Risk Act, Criminal Code; Constitution Act)
Why it Matters
  • Federal laws programs can apply to local governments
  • Grant contribution programs support local governments to meet their objectives, such as infrastructure and climate change adaptation.

Welcome to Clearwater, Adventure Starts Here

The District of Clearwater was established on December 3, 2007, making it one of the newest municipalities in British Columbia. Located in the heart of British Columbia and Wells Gray Country. Clearwater BC is the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park and is surrounded by the Trophy Mountains, Raft Peak, Grizzly Peak and Dunn Peak, this rural community is the place for all seasons. Whether you plan to locate your business here, invest in the area, relocate your family or enjoy the abundant recreational opportunities, Clearwater, British Columbia, Canada has it all!