Semiahmoo added to First Nations Elections Act

Summary#

The federal government added the Semiahmoo First Nation to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act. The order fixes the band's first election under that Act for December 5, 2026, and the order came into force when registered on March 18, 2026.

What it does#

• Adds Semiahmoo to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act with entry number 98.
• Fixes the date of the first election of the council of Semiahmoo as December 5, 2026.
• Notes that the council of Semiahmoo asked for this change by a resolution adopted on December 17, 2025.
• The order was made by Mandy Gull‑Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, and it came into force on the day it was registered (March 18, 2026).

Who's affected#

• Members and residents of the Semiahmoo First Nation — their next council election will be held under the First Nations Elections Act on December 5, 2026.
• The Semiahmoo band council and local election administrators, who will follow the Act’s rules for that election.
• It is unclear from the order whether other groups or agencies will have new roles beyond routine election administration.

Why it matters#

• This makes the Semiahmoo council’s next election use the federal First Nations Elections Act rules rather than whatever system applied before. That affects how candidates are nominated, how voting is organized, and how results are declared.
• The change follows a request by the band’s council and is a routine legal step to set the official election date.