Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins to Step Down After 18 Years

After an impressive 18-year tenure, Barb Desjardins has announced that she will not seek re-election as the Mayor of Esquimalt in the upcoming 2026 municipal election. This decision, made public during a council meeting on October 27, marks the end of her record-breaking reign as the longest-serving mayor in the township’s history.

Desjardins expressed mixed emotions about her departure, stating, “It’s a bittersweet feeling. Esquimalt has undergone a transformation that is exciting, and after what will be 18 years, there can be a new vision.” She emphasized the importance of allowing new voices to emerge as part of the community’s ongoing development.

Transforming Esquimalt

Having joined the Esquimalt council in 2005 and assuming the role of mayor in 2008, Desjardins has played a pivotal role in the township’s growth. She won re-election four additional times, in 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Reflecting on her time in office, she noted, “When I started, Esquimalt was a community that was shrinking slightly, losing businesses, not having development. Now it’s a very sought-after community.”

Desjardins highlighted several key projects that have contributed to this transformation, including the construction of the Gorge Pavilion, securing $17 million from the McLoughlin Amenity Fund, and the establishment of a new public safety building. “It’s not one person,” she remarked. “It’s the community that embraced all of that and said, ‘We like where this is going.’”

Looking Ahead

Despite her accomplishments, Desjardins expressed regret over the unresolved issues surrounding Esquimalt’s policing situation. “Not resolving that to a satisfactory place, where there would be cost control and better governance, is one thing I regret,” she admitted. As she enters her final year in office, Desjardins plans to prioritize addressing these ongoing challenges, alongside supporting economic development strategies and launching a comprehensive review of the township’s official community plan.

Desjardins’ decision not to run again also reflects personal changes in her life. “I think we’re in a good place,” she remarked, indicating a desire to step back and allow a new generation of leaders to shape the community’s future. The arrival of her status as a grandmother has further motivated her to focus on family.

While she prepares to step down, Desjardins assures the community that her presence will not fade. “I’m not done yet,” she said with a laugh. “I’m still here to do things for the community, just in a different direction.” Her commitment to Esquimalt remains strong, and she looks forward to witnessing the continued growth and vibrancy of the community she has served for nearly two decades.