Running for Office

KEY DATES

ELECTION PERIOD FOR CAMPAIGN EXPENSES
Saturday, January 1, 2022 to Friday, September 16, 2022

The period beginning January 1 of an election year until 29 days before General Voting Day. Campaigns must report all expenses incurred during the election period.

NOMINATION PERIOD
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am to Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm

ELECTION PERIOD FOR SIGNS
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am to Saturday, October 15, 2022

This period begins at 9:00 am on the forty-sixth day before general voting day and ends at the close of general voting.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ORIGINALS OF FAXED/EMAILED NOMINATION DOCUMENTS*
Friday, September 16, 2022 at 4:00 pm

CAMPAIGN PERIOD
Saturday, September 17, 2022 to Saturday, October 15, 2022

This period begins on the 28th day before General Voting Day and ends at the close of voting on General Voting Day. Candidate and third party expense limits apply during this period.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FILING DEADLINE

Friday, January 13, 2023

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT LATE FILING DEADLINE WITH $500.00 LATE FILING FEE
Monday, February 13, 2023

Elections BC administers campaign financing, disclosure and election advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Elections BC does not administer voting or candidate nominations for local elections. For more information, see Who Does What in Local Elections.

New rules for the 2022 General Local Elections
There are new campaign financing and advertising rules for the 2022 General Local Elections that candidates, elector organizations, and third party advertisers need to be aware of. Key changes include:

Elector organizations must register with Elections BC in order to endorse a candidate, receive a campaign contribution, or incur an election expense. Read more about new rules for elector organizations.

Sponsorship contribution limits apply to contributions made by eligible individuals to third party sponsors.

During the pre-campaign period beginning on July 18, 2022, third party advertising rules apply.

All election advertising during the pre-campaign period must include an authorization statement.

Qualifications for Office

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria:

• Canadian citizen
• 18 years of age or older or will be on General Voting Day
• Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed
• Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia
• A person or a commander of an armed forces unit who has been granted freedom of the municipality, if that person is a Canadian citizen

Learn more about eligibility and specifics for running for office on the BC Government Running for Local Office webpage.

NOMINATION PACKAGES

Nomination packages will be available for pickup beginning July 25, 2022 at City Hall during regular business hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays.  Nomination packages will also available for downloading on line. 

The Nomination Period takes place between Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am and Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm.  During this period, nomination documents will be received by the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer.  

DECLARATION OF CANDIDATES will be publicly announced on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:05 pm at City Hall in Council Chambers.

CAMPAIGN FINANCING, DISCLOSURE AND ELECTION ADVERTISING

For more information please contact:

• Jacqueline Morgan, Chief Election Officer at 604.793.2934