HSA members urged to vote in municipal election
HSA members urged to vote in municipal election
On Saturday November 15, 2014 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.
These local representatives play a critical role in making our communities places where we want to live, and serve as an important voice for our communities with higher levels of government.
On average, fewer than 30 per cent of British Columbians vote in local elections. HSA urges members to help reverse this trend by learning more about the candidates in your community and exercising your vote.
As part of our involvement with the Canadian Labour Congress, HSA has sent members a list of the municipal candidates endorsed by your local labour council. We hope you will consider this information when deciding which candidates to support with your vote.
You can find the list of candidates endorsed by your local labour council, as well as general information about voting in your community by using the dropdown menu here.
In local government elections, you may vote for any number of candidates up to and including the number of positions available. You may choose to vote strategically to improve the chances of the candidate(s) you support by voting for fewer than the maximum number allowed.
Time off work to vote
Unlike provincial and federal elections, workers are not entitled by law to any specific minimum number of consecutive hours to vote in municipal elections.
Members who are eligible voters and are covered by the Community Social Services agreements for General Services or Community Living Services, are entitled to 4 consecutive clear hours during which the polls are open in which to vote (Article 20.5 in both agreements). For members covered by these agreements, if your work schedule on November 15th does not allow 4 consecutive hours off between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, then your employer is entitled to determine how you will be given 4 consecutive clear hours to vote (i.e., arrive late, leave early or have 4 hours off at some point during the work day to vote).
General voting day: Saturday, November 15
Voting hours: 8am to 8pm local time