HSA support still available for members participating in the provincial election
HSA members throughout the province who are running for office or working on campaigns in the May 12, 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.
Wage replacement is available for campaign work performed from the date a members application is approved, up to and including May 12, 2009. Support is also available for members carrying out certain types of campaign work after Election Day. For more information on support available after May 12, please contact Carol Riviere at the HSA office.
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 plan to work with agrees to accept the actual dollar value of the wage replacement for which you are applying during this 88-day period. The campaign manager and financial agent MUST sign your application to indicate acceptance of this donation, or your application will not be approved. If your campaign does not yet have a campaign manager and financial agent, then please 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) free collective bargaining for public sector employees; and
d) progressive occupational health and safety legislation.
Members applying for support must complete the attached application (additional copies are available on HSAs website) and send it to HSA by mail or fax, addressed to the HSA Political Action Committee.
Applications will be considered as they are received, until available funding has been allocated.
Members are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, in order to provide sufficient notice to arrange time off work. For further information, please contact Carol Riviere, Communications Officer, at the HSA office.