HSA Political Action Fund available to support members in October 29 provincial by-elections
HSA members who are running for office or working on campaigns in the provincial by-elections in Vancouver-Burrard and Vancouver-Fairview can apply to HSA for the following financial support from HSAs Political Action Fund:
1. Members who are candidates can apply for up to 20 days of wage replacement and/or up to $200 to cover approved personal expenses incurred to run for office.
2. Members who are working on an election campaign can apply for up to 20 days of wage replacement, but must demonstrate that they are donating at least 20 hours of their own unpaid time to work on the campaign.
Elections BC treats such wage replacement as a political contribution by HSA. If a member receives wage replacement for working on a campaign during the election period (i.e., from the date the writ is dropped until the polls close on Election Day), then the full amount paid by HSA for wages and benefits counts as an election expense against the constituencys campaign spending limit.
It is essential, therefore, that the campaign you wish to work with agrees to accept the actual dollar value of the wage replacement for which you are applying. The campaign manager and financial agent MUST sign your application to indicate acceptance of this donation, or your application will not be considered. If the campaign you wish to work for does not yet have a campaign manager and financial agent, then please contact Carol Riviere at the HSA office.
Wage replacement for work performed outside of the election campaign period is not subject to campaign spending limits, and may be available for members carrying out campaign work after Election Day.
HSA is not affiliated with any political party. HSA provides financial support to members to run for office or to work on election campaigns, only where the candidate and the political party they are affiliated with ... if any ... demonstrate support for:
a) a positive role for the public sector;
b) the principles of the Canada Health Act;
c) collective bargaining for public sector employees; and
d) progressive occupational health and safety legislation.
Members applying for support must complete an application (see below) and send it to HSA by mail or fax, addressed to the HSA Political Action Committee. These by-elections are in progress, so members are urged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be considered as they are received.
The deadline for applications to be received by the HSA office is:
4:00 pm on Friday, October 24
Applications received after this date may be considered, if funding is still available. For further information, please contact Carol Riviere, Communications Officer, at the HSA office.