Who decides what

For every measure: which bodies decide something about it, what each one decides, and the law, order or bylaw that gives it that role.

We show who decides, not who caused a change: markets, households and other governments also move these numbers. A body is listed only when a script has opened the law it relies on and found the words quoted for it (last checked Nov 12, 2026). The first body for each measure is the main decision-maker; the home page filter uses it. Last and next decisions are shown only where a date has been read from the law or a published page. How we choose.

Elections: councils were last elected on October 17, 2026 and are next elected on October 19, 2030 (Local Government Act, s. 52). The Province last voted on October 19, 2024; the next vote is set for October 21, 2028 unless called earlier (Constitution Act, s. 23). Canada last voted on April 28, 2025; the next vote is set for October 15, 2029 unless called earlier (Canada Elections Act, s. 56.1).

Health care

Emergency wait, Surgery wait, People waiting for surgery

Province of B.C.: Sets provincial standards for health services and appoints Island Health’s board. Health Authorities Act, s. 3, Health Authorities Act, s. 4.
Island Health: Plans and runs health services in the region: which services, which facilities and the programs that deliver them. Health Authorities Act, s. 5.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Pays the Canada Health Transfer to the Province, on the conditions set in the Canada Health Act. Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Part V.1, Canada Health Act, s. 5 and 7.

Regular doctor or NP, B.C.

Province of B.C.: Runs the Medical Services Plan through the Medical Services Commission, sets standards for health services and appoints Island Health’s board. Medicare Protection Act, s. 3, Health Authorities Act, s. 3, Health Authorities Act, s. 4.
Island Health: Plans and runs health services in the region: which services, which facilities and the programs that deliver them. Health Authorities Act, s. 5.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Pays the Canada Health Transfer to the Province, on the conditions set in the Canada Health Act. Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, Part V.1, Canada Health Act, s. 5 and 7.

Cost of living

Rent, 2-bedroom, Rent after inflation

Province of B.C.: Limits rent increases during a tenancy. The yearly limit is set by regulation. Residential Tenancy Act, s. 43. Last: 2027 limit set at 2.2%, announced August 27, 2026.
Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides zoning and approves new housing in its own area. Local Government Act, s. 479.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Finances and insures housing loans through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. National Housing Act, s. 3.

No government decides this directly. Landlords set rents within these rules.

Prices

Bank of Canada: Sets and publishes the minimum rate at which it lends, as part of its job to regulate credit and currency. Bank of Canada Act, s. 21, Bank of Canada Act, preamble. Last: Rate set at 2.50% on October 28, 2026. Next: Next scheduled announcement December 9, 2026.
Government of Canada and Parliament: If the Minister of Finance and the Bank disagree on monetary policy, the Minister can give the Bank a written directive, with Cabinet approval. Bank of Canada Act, s. 14.

No government decides this directly. Most prices are set by sellers and buyers.

Gasoline

No government decides this directly. Fuel sellers set pump prices, which follow world oil prices.

Province of B.C.: Sets the provincial tax on each litre of gasoline. Motor Fuel Tax Act, s. 4.

Mortgage vs income

Bank of Canada: Sets and publishes the minimum rate at which it lends, as part of its job to regulate credit and currency. Bank of Canada Act, s. 21, Bank of Canada Act, preamble. Last: Rate set at 2.50% on October 28, 2026. Next: Next scheduled announcement December 9, 2026.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Sets the rules for government-backed mortgage insurance, such as the longest amortization. Eligible Mortgage Loan Regulations (SOR/2012-281).
Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides zoning and approves new housing in its own area. Local Government Act, s. 479.

Asking rent, 2-bedroom

No government decides this directly. Landlords set the rent for a new tenancy.

Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides zoning and approves new housing in its own area. Local Government Act, s. 479.
Province of B.C.: Limits rent increases during a tenancy. The yearly limit is set by regulation. Residential Tenancy Act, s. 43. Last: 2027 limit set at 2.2%, announced August 27, 2026.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Finances and insures housing loans through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. National Housing Act, s. 3.

Housing

New homes vs target

Province of B.C.: Sets the City’s housing target by order. Housing Supply Act, s. 2, Ministerial Order M286/2023 (Victoria housing target order). Last: Order made September 23, 2023. Next: Order ends September 30, 2028.
City of Victoria Council: Reports progress on the target every year, and decides zoning and approvals in the City. Ministerial Order M286/2023 (Victoria housing target order), Local Government Act, s. 479. Next: Progress report due by November 14, 2026 (within 45 days of September 30).

Large-building permits, New homes approved

City of Victoria Council: Decides zoning and development permits, and regulates building by bylaw. Local Government Act, s. 479, Local Government Act, s. 490, Community Charter, s. 8 (3) (l).
Province of B.C.: Sets the B.C. Building Code. Building Act, s. 3.

Homes started, City

City of Victoria Council: Decides zoning and development permits, and regulates building by bylaw. Local Government Act, s. 479, Local Government Act, s. 490, Community Charter, s. 8 (3) (l).
Province of B.C.: Can set housing targets for a municipality. Housing Supply Act, s. 2.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Finances and insures housing loans through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. National Housing Act, s. 3.

Under construction, Housing starts, Homes completed, Vacancy rate

Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides zoning and approves new housing in its own area. Local Government Act, s. 479.
Province of B.C.: Can set housing targets for a municipality. Housing Supply Act, s. 2.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Finances and insures housing loans through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. National Housing Act, s. 3.

Below-market homes

Province of B.C.: Can set housing targets for a municipality, including on affordability. The City’s current order sets one five-year total of net new homes. Housing Supply Act, s. 2, Ministerial Order M286/2023 (Victoria housing target order).
City of Victoria Council: Decides zoning and approvals in the City. Local Government Act, s. 479.

Homelessness and drugs

Homelessness, One-night count, Shelter share

Province of B.C.: Runs housing programs through BC Housing (the British Columbia Housing Management Commission). Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act, s. 5, Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act, s. 10.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Must keep a National Housing Strategy with national goals on housing and homelessness. National Housing Strategy Act, s. 5.
2 more bodies
- Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides land use in its own area and makes bylaws for parks and other public places. Local Government Act, s. 479, Community Charter, s. 8 (3).
- Capital Regional District Board: Runs a regional housing trust fund that helps fund affordable housing. CRD Bylaw No. 3266, Regional Housing Trust Fund Service Establishment Bylaw.

Toxic drug deaths

Province of B.C.: Sets provincial standards for health services and appoints Island Health’s board. Health Authorities Act, s. 3, Health Authorities Act, s. 4.
Island Health: Plans and runs health services in the region: which services, which facilities and the programs that deliver them. Health Authorities Act, s. 5.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Makes federal drug law and can exempt people, places or substances from it. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, s. 56.

Safety

Police-reported crime, Crimes by type, Crimes solved

Government of Canada and Parliament: Makes criminal law, including the rules on release before trial (bail) and sentencing. Criminal Code (Part XVI, release before trial; Part XXIII, sentencing).
Province of B.C.: Approves and conducts prosecutions, and sets standards for policing. Crown Counsel Act, s. 2, Police Act, s. 40.
2 more bodies
- Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Municipalities of more than 5,000 people must provide policing: their own police department or an RCMP agreement. Police Act, s. 3.
- Municipal police boards: Police boards run their municipal police departments and prepare their budgets. Police Act, s. 26, Police Act, s. 27.

Police calls, Police satisfaction, Police officers, Police cost

Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board: Oversees the Victoria Police Department, appoints its chief constable and prepares its budget. Police Act, s. 26, Police Act, s. 27. Next: Provisional budget due to the councils by November 30, 2026 (Police Act, s. 27).
Victoria and Esquimalt councils: Approve the police board’s budget. If they reject an item, either side can ask the Province to decide. Police Act, s. 27, Police Act, s. 27 (3).
Province of B.C.: Sets standards for policing. Police Act, s. 40.

Crime

Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board: Oversees the Victoria Police Department, appoints its chief constable and prepares its budget. Police Act, s. 26, Police Act, s. 27. Next: Provisional budget due to the councils by November 30, 2026 (Police Act, s. 27).
Victoria and Esquimalt councils: Approve the police board’s budget. If they reject an item, either side can ask the Province to decide. Police Act, s. 27, Police Act, s. 27 (3).
2 more bodies
- Province of B.C.: Sets standards for policing. Police Act, s. 40.
- Government of Canada and Parliament: Makes criminal law. Criminal Code (Part XVI, release before trial; Part XXIII, sentencing).

Fire dept. incidents

City of Victoria Council: Decides the City’s services, including its fire department, and their budget in the financial plan. Community Charter, s. 8, Community Charter, s. 165.

Bylaw calls

City of Victoria Council: Makes the City’s bylaws and decides how bylaw services are run and funded. Community Charter, s. 8 (3), Community Charter, s. 165.

Business and jobs

Employment rate, Unemployment

No government decides this directly. Employers and workers decide hiring.

Bank of Canada: Conducts monetary policy. Its law asks it to reduce swings in production, trade, prices and employment where it can. Bank of Canada Act, preamble, Bank of Canada Act, s. 21.

Downtown permits

City of Victoria Council: Decides zoning and development permits, and regulates building by bylaw. Local Government Act, s. 479, Local Government Act, s. 490, Community Charter, s. 8 (3) (l).
Province of B.C.: Sets the B.C. Building Code. Building Act, s. 3.

Income assistance

Province of B.C.: Provides income assistance and disability assistance, and sets who is eligible and how much, by law and regulation. Employment and Assistance Act, s. 4, Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, s. 5.

Family income

No government decides this directly. Employers, workers and families decide most income. Tax and benefit rules also affect it; no law is cited for that yet.

Bank of Canada: Sets and publishes the minimum rate at which it lends, as part of its job to regulate credit and currency. Bank of Canada Act, s. 21, Bank of Canada Act, preamble. Last: Rate set at 2.50% on October 28, 2026. Next: Next scheduled announcement December 9, 2026.

Downtown foot traffic

No government decides this directly. Visitors, shoppers and businesses decide where people go.

City of Victoria Council: Regulates businesses by bylaw and manages the City’s streets. Community Charter, s. 8 (6), Community Charter, s. 35.

Business licences

City of Victoria Council: Regulates businesses and runs the City’s business licence system by bylaw. Community Charter, s. 8 (6), Community Charter, s. 15.

Businesses operating

No government decides this directly. Business owners decide whether to open or close.

City of Victoria Council: Regulates businesses by bylaw and manages the City’s streets. Community Charter, s. 8 (6), Community Charter, s. 35.

City finances

Property tax

City of Victoria Council: Adopts the financial plan by bylaw each year, then sets property tax rates by bylaw before May 15. Community Charter, s. 165, Community Charter, s. 197. Last: Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw, 2026 (No. 26-040) and 2026 tax rates adopted May 7, 2026. Next: 2027 financial plan, then tax rate bylaw before May 15, 2027.
Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board: Prepares the police budget, which the councils approve as part of the City’s spending. Police Act, s. 27. Next: Provisional budget due to the councils by November 30, 2026 (Police Act, s. 27).
5 more bodies
- Province of B.C.: Levies the school tax and sets its rates. School Act, s. 119.
- Capital Regional District Board: Sends each municipality a requisition for the amount needed for each regional service. Local Government Act, s. 385.
- Capital Regional Hospital District Board: Sends each member municipality a requisition for the amount the hospital district needs. Hospital District Act, s. 25.
- Victoria Regional Transit Commission: Prescribes the transit property tax in the regional transit service area. British Columbia Transit Act, s. 15 (2).
- BC Assessment (British Columbia Assessment Authority): Sets the rates that fund its operating costs. Assessment Authority Act, s. 17 (1.1).

Capital done vs plan, Business to home rate, Tax per $1,000

City of Victoria Council: Adopts the financial plan by bylaw each year, then sets property tax rates by bylaw before May 15. Community Charter, s. 165, Community Charter, s. 197. Last: Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw, 2026 (No. 26-040) and 2026 tax rates adopted May 7, 2026. Next: 2027 financial plan, then tax rate bylaw before May 15, 2027.

Tax increase adopted, City spending after inflation, City net debt, City reserves

City of Victoria Council: Adopts the financial plan by bylaw each year, then sets property tax rates by bylaw before May 15. Community Charter, s. 165, Community Charter, s. 197. Last: Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw, 2026 (No. 26-040) and 2026 tax rates adopted May 7, 2026. Next: 2027 financial plan, then tax rate bylaw before May 15, 2027.
Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board: Prepares the police budget, which the councils approve as part of the City’s spending. Police Act, s. 27. Next: Provisional budget due to the councils by November 30, 2026 (Police Act, s. 27).

Schools

Finishing high school, Grade 7 numeracy

Boards of Education (districts 61, 62, 63): Each board runs its district’s public schools and their educational programs. School Act, s. 85.
Province of B.C.: Sets the requirements for graduation and governs educational programs by ministerial order. School Act, s. 168 (2).

Getting around

Buses on time

Victoria Regional Transit Commission: Sets bus fares and service standards in Greater Victoria, within budgets set by BC Transit. British Columbia Transit Act, s. 25 (12).
Province of B.C. (BC Transit): BC Transit sets the operating and capital budgets and runs the system. British Columbia Transit Act, s. 3.
Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council owns and manages its local roads. Community Charter, s. 35.

Transit trips

Victoria Regional Transit Commission: Sets bus fares and service standards in Greater Victoria, within budgets set by BC Transit. British Columbia Transit Act, s. 25 (12).
Province of B.C. (BC Transit): BC Transit sets the operating and capital budgets and runs the system. British Columbia Transit Act, s. 3.

Environment

Greenhouse gases

City of Victoria Council: Must set emission targets, with policies to meet them, in its official community plan. Local Government Act, s. 473.
Province of B.C.: Sets B.C.’s emission targets in law. Climate Change Accountability Act, s. 2.
Government of Canada and Parliament: Sets Canada’s national emission targets. Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, s. 6 and 7.

No government decides this directly. Households and businesses also decide how they heat buildings and travel.

Garbage per person

Capital Regional District Board: Runs the regional solid waste disposal service and must keep a solid waste plan approved by the Province. CRD Bylaw No. 1903, Solid Waste Disposal Local Service Establishment Bylaw, Environmental Management Act, s. 24.
Municipal councils of Greater Victoria (13): Each council decides its own services, such as garbage collection. Community Charter, s. 8.

City government and residents

Voter turnout

No government decides this directly. Each voter decides whether to vote.

City of Victoria Council: Runs the City’s elections through a chief election officer it appoints. Local Government Act, s. 58.
Province of B.C.: Sets the rules for local elections, including that they’re held every 4 years. Local Government Act, s. 52.

Greater Victoria population

No government decides this directly. People decide where to live.

Government of Canada and Parliament: Plans how many permanent residents Canada admits each year. Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 94.
City of Victoria Council: Decides zoning and approves new housing in the City (each council decides for its own area). Local Government Act, s. 479.