Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender introduced legislation today, paving the way to implement expense limits for the next local government elections in British Columbia in 2018.  

Expense limits will apply to candidates running for mayor, councillor, electoral area director, Vancouver Parks Board, Cultus Lake Park Board, Islands Trust area trustee and school board trustee. Expense limits will also apply to third-party advertising sponsors.

The legislation sets out the framework for expense limits; the actual amounts would be set by regulation. This bill follows the recommendations of the Special Committee on Local Elections Expense Limits, as outlined in its June, 2015 report. Specifically:

• For candidates in election areas with less than 10,000 people, the proposed expense limits establish a flat rate of $10,000 for mayoral candidates and $5,000 for all other locally elected offices.
• For election areas with more than 10,000 people, a per-capita formula determines expense limits.
• Expense limits for candidates and electoral organizations would apply from Jan. 1 of the election year to election day (the third Saturday of October).
• Proposed expense limits for third-party advertising sponsors would be five per cent of the expense limit of a candidate in the local election area, with a cumulative, provincewide maximum of $150,000 applicable during a 28-day campaign program.

By tabling the legislation during the current fall session, government is creating a final opportunity for consultation. The Province encourages local election participants, stakeholders and the public to provide input on the proposed approach to expense limits. Parliamentary secretary Linda Reimer will lead ongoing consultation on proposed expense limits.

Comments will be accepted until Nov. 27, 2015. Information is available at: http://ow.ly/TDjLv

Quote:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“British Columbians and election participants expressed their support for expense limits for local government elections. The proposed legislation reflects the recommendations of the special committee. In addition, we are honouring our commitment to the recommendations of the joint B.C.-Union of British Columbia Municipalities Local Government Elections Task Force in 2010 that expense limits be implemented for all campaign participants.”

Quick Facts:

For election areas with more than 10,000 people, the proposed per-capita formula to determine expense limits is as follows:

Mayoral candidates would have an expense limit of:

• $1 per capita for the first 15,000 population
• $0.55 per capita for the next 15,000 to 150,000 population
• $0.60 per capita for the next 150,000 to 250,000
• $0.15 per capita thereafter.

Candidates for all other locally elected offices would have an expense limit of:

• $0.50 per capita for the first 15,000 population
• $0.28 per capita for the next 15,000 to 150,000 population
• $0.30 per capita for the next 150,000 to 250,000 population
• $0.08 per capita thereafter.

Expense limits for candidates apply from Jan. 1 of the election year to General Voting Day.

Local elections expense limits would be adjusted for inflation.

Last year, the B.C. government significantly modernized local government elections, including campaign finance rules. Expense limits will complete implementation of the recommendations of Local Government Elections Task Force.

Special Committee on Local Elections Expense Limits/Consultation

• The all-party Special Committee on Local Elections Expense Limits, convened by the B.C. legislative assembly in October 2014, recommended expense limits amounts for local election candidates and third party advertisers. For more on the committee, including the report on expense limits for local government elections in B.C., visit:  http://ow.ly/TBs89
• The special committee undertook public and stakeholder consultations on expense limits, receiving input from 237 public hearing presentations, written submissions and online survey responses.
• In addition, government held many meetings and briefings with key stakeholder organizations such as the Union of BC Municipalities, local government area associations, the Local Government Management Association, the BC School Trustees Association, elector organizations and third party advertisers.

Learn More:

Check out the Government of British Columbia’s role in supporting local governments, sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd