Changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act will come into effect for the 2017 municipal election with respect to campaign donations.
Changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act will come into effect for the 2017 municipal election with respect to campaign donations.
Stacey Loe, manager of legislative services for the town, said the provincially-mandated changes translate to an added step in the overall process. The intent of the changes is to add a level of accountability.
The next municipal election will take place Oct. 16, 2017. Nomination day is four weeks prior - on Sept. 18, 2017.
“There were a number of changes made to the Local Authorities Election Act just prior to the last local election in 2013, ” explained Loe.
“Many of the changes were with respect to campaign finances, and several of them did not take effect until this upcoming election. One key procedural change is that a person intending to run in the election, must register as a candidate with the municipality prior to accepting any campaign contributions. ”
In order to be nominated, a person would need form signatures from five eligible electors.
“If the candidate does not file nomination papers before the next general election, the candidate is required within six months after the date of the next general election to deal with any surplus in accordance with the legislation - donate to a registered charity, or to the municipality. ”
The forms to Register Notice of Intent are available at cochrane.ca/168/Election.
Anyone who wishes to start campaigning and collecting contributions prior to the nomination date must register with the municipality first.
