Things are going to get political in the East Kootenay and across British Columbia this fall as the 2022 General Local Election takes place October 15.

Municipal and regional government officials as well as school district trustees take to the hustings for the first time in four years.

As part of that process, Elections BC has released information covering expense limits for candidates and expense limits for third party advertising sponsors.

All candidates have expense limits that apply during the campaign period. The campaign period for the 2022 General Local Elections is September 17 to October 15, 2022.

Each election area and office has its own limit, which is based on the office and population of the election area. These limits apply to the 2022 General Local Elections and all subsequent by-elections, Elections BC noted today (May 12).

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Education and Childcare, and Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation calculate the expense limits for general local elections. Elections BC must publish the limits on its website by May 31 in a general local election year.

Additionally, there are two types of expense limits for third party advertising sponsors in the 2022 General Local Elections.

Directed advertising expense limits are specific to an election area and apply to advertising about a candidate or elector organization.

The cumulative advertising expense limit is $161,967.47 and applies to directed and issue advertising in all election areas. The total value of advertising sponsored cannot exceed this limit.

These expense limits also apply during the campaign period for the 2022 General Local Elections, September 17 to October 15.

East Kootenay municipal/regional candidate expense limits as per Elections BC:

• City of Cranbrook: Mayor – $20,114.65; Councillor – $10,090.50.
• City of Fernie: Mayor – $10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• City of Kimberley: Mayor – $10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• District of Elkford: Mayor – $10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• District of Invermere: Mayor – $10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• District of Sparwood: Mayor – $10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• Regional District of East Kootenay (Areas A, B, C, E, F and G): Electoral Area Director – $5,398.92.
• Village of Canal Flats: Mayor -$10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.
• Village of Radium Hot Springs: Mayor -$10,797.83; Councillor – $5,398.92.

East Kootenay School Board of Trustees’ expense limits as per Elections BC:

• Rocky Mountain School District – SD6: Trustee Election Area 1, 3, 4 and 5 – $5,398.92; Trustee Election Area 1 – $5,470.20.
• Southeast Kootenay School District – SD5: Trustee Election Area 1,2,3 and 4 – $5,398.92; Trustee Election Area 5 – $12,045.60.

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.

Learn more.

e-KNOW

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