Elections Task Force

Status of Recommendations

Member Release: Local Government Elections Legislation [PDF - 74 KB]

The Province has indicated that it will seek to implement the Task Force's recommendations in time for the 2014 elections rather than 2011. As a result, the 2011 local general election will be run under the same legislation and regulations as in 2008, with two exceptions:

  • Pending the enactment of legislation, the term of office for those elected in 2011 will be shortened by one month. This is due to a recommendation that would make the third Saturday in October the effective date of the 2014 local general election; and
  • The eligibility of local government volunteers to run for office within their local government will be clarified by regulation.

Elections Task Force Report

Member Release [PDF - 77 KB]
Elections Task Force Report [PDF - 633 KB] - May 28, 2010

Background

On October 2, 2009, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a joint Task Force to make recommendations for legislative changes to improve the electoral process for local government elections across B.C. The Task Force has been asked to report out by May 30, 2010.

A six-member Task Force has been established, co-chaired by Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, and Harry Nyce, UBCM President. Other Task Force members include: Councillor Barbara Steele, Surrey, UBCM First VP and Mayor Mary Sjostrom, Quesnel, UBCM Third VP. The two provincial appointees are MLAs Donna Barnett and Douglas Horne.

The Task Force is reviewing specific issues related to local government elections including:

  • Campaign finance, including contribution / spending disclosure and limits, and tax credits
  • Enforcement processes and outcomes
  • Role of the chief electoral officer (B.C.) in local government elections
  • Election cycle (term of office)
  • Corporate vote
  • Other agreed upon matters, (e.g. matters raised in UBCM resolutions such as eligibility of local government volunteers to be candidates)

Members are encouraged to explore the Local Government Elections Task Force website to learn more about the Task Force, topics under consideration and discussion papers:

www.localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca

We would encourage you to submit your feedback and input through the on-line system that has been established on the Task Force website.

Documents

The following documents are from the UBCM member consultation held on March 12, 2010.

Summary of the Member Consultation Meeting [PDF - 214 KB]

Agenda [PDF - 48 KB]
Presentation [PDF - 931 KB]
Key Questions [PDF - 32 KB]

Contact

For more information about the work of the Local Government Elections Task Force, please contact:

Marie Crawford
Associate Executive Director
mcrawford@ubcm.ca
604 270 8226 ext. 104