Victoria City Council
Council meetings are open to the public. Here is how you can follow what Council is doing and have your say.
How to speak to Council
Anyone can ask to address Council, on their own or as a group (a "delegation"). You have to ask in writing first.
- What to send: a form or letter that says what you want to talk about and what you are asking Council to do.
- How: fill out the City's online request form, or ask the Ambassador in the City Hall lobby for a paper copy.
- Deadline: 6:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before the meeting. To be in Council's full agenda package, send it by 4:30 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the meeting. Later requests go on the amended agenda.
- Time: up to five minutes. You can cover more than one topic in that time. Fifteen speakers are placed on each agenda.
- Not allowed: speaking about a bylaw or permit that has had, or is scheduled for, a Public Hearing, or promoting commercial goods or services.
Full rules: City of Victoria – Addressing Council. Questions: Legislative Services, 250.361.0571.
To write to me and all of Council at once, email mayorandcouncil@victoria.ca.
Who to contact for what
Different levels of government handle different things. Contacting the right office first gets you an answer faster.
- Potholes, garbage, bylaw, parkingCity of VictoriaCall 250.385.5711Submit a service request online
- Police, non-emergencyVictoria Police (VicPD). For emergencies, call 911.Call 250-995-7654
- Housing programs, health, ICBC, courtsThese are provincial. Contact your MLA.Find your MLA
- Immigration, passports, CRAThese are federal. Contact your MP.Find your MP by postal code
- Council decisions, City policy, being heardContact me.wbowkett@victoria.ca
Public Hearings
Public Hearings are about rezoning, Official Community Plan changes and heritage designations. Unless noted otherwise, they happen during regular Thursday Council meetings at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Centennial Square. You can take part by:
- Attending in person and speaking.
- Writing: email publichearings@victoria.ca, mail Legislative Services, or drop it off at the City Hall lobby. Send it by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting to be published on the agenda.
- Video: up to five minutes, sent by 2 p.m. on the Tuesday before the meeting.
- Phone: speak live for up to five minutes. Email publichearings@victoria.ca or call 250.361.0571 by 2 p.m. the day before.
What you say or send becomes part of the public record. Details: City of Victoria – Public Notices & Hearings.
When Council meets and how to watch
Council meets as Committee of the Whole and as Council, usually on Thursdays. Committee of the Whole starts at 9 a.m. and evening Council meetings start at 6:30 p.m. The schedule can change by Council resolution, so check the City's calendar.
All Council meetings are live streamed and archived. You can find agendas, reports, minutes and video on eSCRIBE.
Useful links
- Mayor & Council
- Members of Council
- Public notices & hearings
- Write to all of Council: mayorandcouncil@victoria.ca
Meeting and deadline details checked against the City of Victoria's published rules on November 4, 2026.