Limits on Campaign Contributions Expenses

WHEREAS the funds used to campaign for elected office have grown exponentially by both elector organizations and individual candidates, thereby potentially limiting the ability of many citizens to run for office; AND WHEREAS some contributions to campaigns for elected office in Vancouver were received from outside of Canada during the 2008 general local elections; AND WHEREAS the Premier, during the 2009 provincial election campaign, stated that he is waiting for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to make a request on campaign contribution reform before taking action: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM petition the provincial government to amend the Local Government Act and the Vancouver Charter to: - set limits on the annual amount of contributions that can be given by an individual or organization to an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office; - limit the amount of money that may be spent annually by an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office during a general local election campaign; and - disallow contributions to an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office, from sources outside of Canada; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any amendments to the disclosure laws be made before the 2011 general local elections.