Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes introduced legislation today that will support greater transparency and accountability in local government elections.

Oakes has tabled two bills to modernize local election campaign finance rules and introduce further changes to local elections. The new legislation responds to the majority of recommendations made by the joint B.C.-Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Local Government Elections Task Force.

The new Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) makes significant reforms to campaign finance rules that, if passed, include:

• Requiring candidates to file campaign finance disclosure statements within 90 days, rather than 120, following an election.
• Ensuring candidate campaign disclosures are published online.
• Ensuring the sponsorship information is published on all election advertisements.
• Requiring third-party advertising sponsors to register and disclose their expenditures.
• Establishing a new compliance and enforcement role for Elections BC.

The Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act (LESAA) is a companion piece to the campaign finance legislation establishing how election participants will transition to the new campaign finance rules. The act also makes further changes to local elections by:

• Extending the terms of office for local elected officials from three to four years.
• Moving the general voting day from November to October, beginning in 2018.

In 2010, the joint B.C.-UBCM Local Government Elections Task Force made 31 recommendations to modernize local elections, including incorporation of local election campaign finance rules into one act.

The legislation will apply to elected officials in municipalities, regional districts, the Islands Trust, parks boards and school boards. If passed, the legislation will take effect for upcoming general local elections on Nov. 15, 2014.

The legislation follows an extensive consultation process with local governments and key stakeholders. In September 2013, a white paper was published outlining the proposed new campaign finance reforms.

During consultations, some stakeholders expressed opposition to a complete ban on anonymous contributions. Given this feedback, the current rules that permit modest anonymous contributions of $50 or less will be maintained. This requirement will also apply to third-party advertisers effective immediately.

Government also consulted local governments and key stakeholders about campaign expense limits, as part of a phased approach to local government elections reform. As part of this process, expense limits would be introduced in time for the next general local elections following 2014.

The next general local elections will take place on Nov. 15, 2014.

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

“British Columbians are fortunate to live in a strong democracy where citizens can participate in local elections freely and fairly. After much consultation with stakeholders, we are modernizing local government elections to maximize fairness, transparency and accountability. This is the most significant update to B.C.’s local elections process in 20 years.”

UBCM president Rhona Martin - 

“The legislation introduced today allows for the implementation of the majority of the recommendations delivered by the joint Task Force in 2010. Local governments supported all 31 of the initial recommendations aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of the local election process. Candidates in the November elections are looking for certainty for the rules that will govern the 2014 general local election, and await the decision of the Legislative Assembly.”

Learn More:

For more information, visit: www.localgovelectionreform.gov.bc.ca

To read the joint B.C. government-UBCM Local Government Elections Task Force report, visit: http://www.localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462

Paul Taylor
Director of Communications
Union of BC Municipalities
250 356-2938
250 893-8476 (mobile)

BACKGROUNDER

Reforming local election campaign finance

B.C. is changing local election campaign finance rules to ensure accountability, enhance transparency and strengthen compliance and enforcement. Highlights of the proposed legislation include:

Ensuring accountability

• All third-party advertisers must identify donor(s) and amount (s) of their expenditures; currently there is no requirement for donors to be identified or expenditure amounts to be published.

Enhancing transparency

• All campaign donations and expenses will be published online via the Elections BC website. Previously there was no requirement to publish disclosure statements online.
• All election ads must identify the sponsor(s); currently there is no requirement to identify a sponsor.
• All candidates must disclose campaign donations/expenses within 90 days after an election; currently the deadline is 120 days.

Strengthening compliance and enforcement

• Extend the time for investigation of alleged contravention to one year; currently the deadline is six months.
• Establish a key role for Elections BC, including review and publication of disclosure reports.
• Currently, Elections BC does not play a role in local elections. Under the proposed legislation, Elections BC would have new responsibilities for publishing campaign finance information online and ensuring monitoring of compliance with legislation.

Expanding education and advice

• Establish a more formal process to guide the development of education and advice on new campaign finance rules.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462

Paul Taylor
Director of Communications
Union of BC Municipalities
250 356-2938
250 893-8476 (mobile)