HSA members urged to vote in Municipal Election
On Saturday November 15, 2008 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.
These local representatives make decisions that affect our everyday lives, and play a critical role in making our neighbourhoods, towns, and regions places where we want to live. Local politicians also speak up for communities on important local, provincial and federal issues, and are an important voice for our communities with higher levels of government.
Typically, fewer than 20 per cent of British Columbians get involved in local elections. HSA urges members to help reverse this trend by learning more about the candidates in your community, and most importantly, by exercising your vote.
As part of its involvement with the Canadian Labour Congress and local Labour Councils, HSA has mailed members a list of the municipal candidates endorsed by their local Labour Council. Members can find an updated, expanded list of candidates for their area on the CLCs Pacific Region website at: http://pacific.canadianlabour.ca/en/endorsed-candidates.
For general information on voter eligibility and other aspects of municipal elections, see the Local Government Elections section of the Ministry of Community Development website at: http://www.cd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/gov_structure/Elections.
Local governments are responsible for conducting municipal and school board elections. Check your local governments website and local community newspapers for information specific to the municipal election in your area, including voting times and locations, and how to register to vote.
Please note that unlike provincial and federal elections, workers are not entitled to any specific minimum number of consecutive hours outside work to vote in municipal elections.
General voting day: Saturday, November 15