BC municipalities reject four-year terms
By Nelson Daily Editor
Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in Whistler voted against extending city council terms to four years from three, on Thursday, The Canadian Press reports.
The provincial government proposed the measure after a review of the municipal electoral system and said it would introduce legislation next spring so the changes could be in place for the next municipal elections in November of 2011.
The idea was to give mayors and city councillors more time to complete their agendas and save money with fewer elections.
But a majority of delegates at the UBCM convention rejected the plan after some expressed concerns that fewer people might run for office if they are locked into four-year terms.
The idea for longer terms was part of 31 recommendations made by a task force that reviewed municipal election rules in B.C.
The panel also called for limits on campaign expenses, having third party advertisers register, banning anonymous contributions and shortening the time for filing campaign finance disclosure statements.
With files from The Canadian Press.
