WHEREAS many provinces, including Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick, have four-year civic election terms, a term length which reflects the accepted period between elections in the provincial and federal contexts; AND WHEREAS four-year election terms would likely be more productive for councils and staff and would save taxpayer money: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities ask the provincial government to increase the interval between civic elections from three years to four years.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Increasing the length of the term of office for local government elected officials would be a significant change to the election process. Among other things, it would affect the commitment that people must make to a position that may on occasion come into conflict with their jobs, families and other responsibilities. The requested change may result in an increase in the number of local government by-elections. Therefore, it is recommended that all of the implications of this proposal be fully investigated. Broad public consultation would be required before any commitment could be given to consider legislative changes. Individual local governments may wish to consider holding a referendum on this issue at the 2008 general local election.