Local election rules to change
BC’s government is moving ahead with making changes to advertising and sponsorship rules for local government elections.
If the legislation is passed, the new rules would be in effect for local government elections in November 2014.
The new regulations include: disclosure and registration by third-party advertisers; sponsorship information to be required on all election advertising; all campaign finance disclosure statements to be filed 90 days after the election rather than 120 days; and a ban on anonymous contributions.
The campaign finance rules apply to election participants, including candidates, elector organizations and third-party advertisers.
The province will release a white paper with more details this September and plans to introduce the legislation in the spring of 2014. The purpose of the white paper is to indicate government’s direction prior to the introduction of legislation.
The new rules are based on recommendations from the Local Government Elections Task Force, a joint initiative of the province and UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities).
One of the recommendations, that an expense limit be set on election campaigns, will not be included in the new regulations. The government says consultation with key stakeholders on expense limits will be undertaken starting in November. The consultation will “inform further legislative changes for the 2017 elections,” according to a government release.
Local government election rules apply to municipalities, regional districts, parks boards, the Islands Trust and boards of education.
The deadline for public comment on the white paper is October 23. The province will provide a website link and email address when the white paper is released.
“We are committed to ensuring that election participants are fully aware of any changes well in advance of the November 15, 2014 local elections,” said Coralee Oakes, minister of community, sport and cultural development. “These changes are about enhancing transparency and accountability.”
Mary Sjostrom, UBCM president, said the organization is pleased that the province is moving forward with election legislation. “The phased approach they are adopting will help ensure the changes will work for the full range of communities in BC,” she said.
Campfires okay
Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department officials lifted the campfire ban on Wednesday afternoon, August 28. Campfires piled no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres in diameter, to be used for cooking and warmth, are permitted. Backyard burns or burn barrels are not permitted, since it is still dry just under the surface and under most tree canopies.
The campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre was lifted on Monday, August 26. Detailed information about current burning prohibitions in BC is available by following the links on the Wildfire Management Branch website at http://bcwildfire.ca.
BC plans more ferry talks
Powell River and Texada Island residents can expect a new round of consultations about reducing ferry costs.
The provincial government issued a RFP (request for proposals) in early August inviting consultants to bid for a contract that would include developing “a route-specific ferry adjustment plan to ensure the sustainability of the ferry system.” As well, the work includes engaging “citizens and local governments in areas that will be impacted by changes to ferry services.”
Public consultation is expected to take place in November and December. The successful bidder is required to report back to government early next year to fit with the government’s planned April 2014 date for service changes to be implemented. The province wants to realize $19 million in cost savings by 2016.
The plan follows last year’s $1-million public consultation process that gathered input on ideas for a short-term action plan to reduce ferry costs and a long-term vision for the future of ferry services. The consultant’s report left many questions unanswered and had no indication of how service cuts would be implemented or how they would impact ferry users and ferry-dependent coastal communities.
The deadline for bid submissions was Tuesday, August 27.
