When voters head to the polls in November, they’ll likely be electing school trustees and council members for an additional year in office.
The B.C. government is planning to introduce legislation during the current legislative session to change local elections from a three-year to a four-year cycle beginning with the 2014 elections. If the legislation is approved, British Columbians would go to the polls in November 2014 and then in October 2018.
Coun. Lorrie Williams, who once proposed a move to four-year terms at the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ convention, believes it makes financial sense.
“I kept thinking in a 12-year period, it’s the difference between four elections and three elections. They are very expensive for the candidates, and it is very expensive for the city,” she said. “From a financial point of view it is a good decision.”
The city spent about $140,000 on the 2008 civic election and budgeted about $200,000 for the 2011 election. This year’s budget (which has yet to be approved) includes $220,000 for the civic election.
“New Westminster actually put that motion forward to the UBCM a number of years ago. It wasn’t successful that time, but it was successful more recently,” said Coun. Jonathan Cote. “I think it’s a lot more cost effective from an election point of view. It puts us in line with what municipalities do all across Canada, but it also gives councils an opportunity to really implement a longer term vision and have the time to work at it.”
Four-year terms are part of a package of local election reforms the province is planning to consider in the current legislative sitting. Another change would see civic elections moved to October from November, something municipalities believe would encourage more voter turnout before the winter weather worsens.
According to the press release, the B.C. government continues to consult with stakeholders on reforms to address expense limits for local government elections in 2018.
The City of New Westminster’s website currently lists postings for a chief elections officer and an elections assistant.
