Property tax and spending
What the City actually decides: Council sets the municipal tax rate each spring and approves the capital and operating budgets.
Richmond, British Columbia · 2026-09-19
Richmond election issues 2026
Most election arguments in Richmond are about things council controls only partly, or not at all. Before comparing what candidates promise, it is worth knowing which level of government can deliver it. This page sets out the jurisdiction, not the positions — Smart Richmond does not rank issues or candidates.
Housing and development
What the City actually decides: Council approves rezonings, development permits and the Official Community Plan that governs what can be built where.
Public safety and policing
What the City actually decides: Council sets the RCMP contract budget and the number of funded officer positions; it does not direct police operations.
Supervised consumption site
What the City actually decides: Council voted on a 2024 motion about a supervised consumption site; provincial health authorities, not the City, operate such sites.
Transportation and transit
What the City actually decides: Council sets road and cycling priorities and Richmond's position at TransLink's Mayors' Council; it does not run bus or SkyTrain service.
Farmland and the ALR
What the City actually decides: Council decides local land-use applications on ALR land and sets house-size rules on farm parcels; the Agricultural Land Commission holds provincial authority.
Schools, portables and childcare
What the City actually decides: School trustees govern School District 38's budget, catchments and facilities; council funds childcare space through development.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main issues in the 2026 Richmond election?
Property taxes and spending, housing and development approvals, policing budgets, the supervised consumption site question, transportation, farmland in the Agricultural Land Reserve, and school capacity.
Does Richmond council control policing?
Council sets the RCMP contract budget and the number of funded officer positions, but it does not direct police operations or investigations.
Does Richmond council decide whether a supervised consumption site opens?
Not by itself. Council voted on a 2024 motion, but supervised consumption sites are established by provincial health authorities under federal exemption.
Jurisdictional descriptions follow the City of Richmond's published role for each service area. Last checked 2026-09-19. Smart Richmond does not recommend or oppose any candidate or position.