HSA Political Action Fund available to support members in provincial election
HSA members throughout the province who are running for office or working on campaigns in the May 2009 provincial election 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 any time during the period from February 13 ... May 12, 2009, inclusive, 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 during this time period. 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 this 88 day period is not subject to campaign spending limits, and may be available for members carrying out campaign work before February 13, 2009 and/or after Election Day. For more information on support available outside the 88 day period, contact Carol Riviere at the HSA office.
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 and send it to HSA by mail or fax, addressed to the HSA Political Action Committee.
The deadline by which applications must be received by the HSA office is:
4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2009
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.