Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins Steps Down After 18 Years

After serving as mayor for nearly two decades, Barb Desjardins announced her decision not to seek re-election in the upcoming 2026 municipal election. During a council meeting on October 27, she expressed her desire to make way for new leadership in Esquimalt, where she has been a pivotal figure for the past 18 years.

Desjardins, who first joined the Esquimalt council in 2005 and became the township’s 22nd mayor in 2008, holds the record as the longest-serving mayor in the community’s history. Reflecting on her tenure, she stated, “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.”

Achievements and Community Focus

Under Desjardins’ leadership, Esquimalt has seen significant changes. When she began her term, the community faced challenges such as a declining population and stagnating development. Now, she highlights the township as a vibrant community, attracting new businesses and residents.

“When I started, Esquimalt was a community that was shrinking slightly, losing businesses, not having development,” she noted. “Now it’s a very sought-after community.” Major projects during her administration include the construction of the Gorge Pavilion and securing $17 million from the McLoughlin Amenity Fund. She also emphasized the importance of community involvement in these successes, stating, “It’s not one person. It’s the community that embraced all of that.”

Future Priorities and Personal Reflections

As she prepares to conclude her time in office, Desjardins aims to address key priorities, including advancing discussions on policing and supporting Esquimalt’s economic development strategy. She acknowledged her disappointment in not resolving the policing situation to her satisfaction, saying, “I would say not resolving that to a satisfactory place, where there would be cost control and better governance, is one thing I regret.”

Looking toward her future, Desjardins expressed a desire to spend more time with her family, particularly as she embraces her new role as a grandmother. “I think we’re in a good place. Now there’s a perfect opportunity for me to step back and allow a whole new generation of people to come in and help create that vision,” she stated.

Despite her decision to step down from her official role, Desjardins assured the community that she will remain engaged. “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.”