This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
'The outcome is positive. We're very pleased.' - Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.
Vancouver (5 June 2010) - The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has welcomed a report to the B.C. government recommending against allowing corporations and businesses to vote in local elections across the province.
 |
The decision not to propose a so-called "corporate vote" was outlined in the Report of the Local Government Elections Task Force and has been welcomed by Darryl Walker, BCGEU president. BCGEU presented the task force with a brief – strongly opposing the concept.
"We're taking a close look at the report, to see what it means for our members and for B.C. residents," says Walker. "With respect to the corporate vote, the outcome is positive. We're very pleased that the task force decided not to recommend establishing a corporate vote."
In its report, the task force explained its position this way:
"There was no approach evident to the task force that would ensure fairness among businesses, equity for electors and administrative workability. There is no corporate vote in provincial or federal elections in Canada, or in local elections in other provinces," the report noted.
"The only example of a corporate vote in local elections was found in the City of London, England. As a result of its deliberations, the task force recommends maintaining the existing voter eligibility rules on this issue and not establishing a corporate vote."
The Task Force was established by the provincial government to review municipal election issues. The report contains 31 recommendations to improve the municipal electoral process.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
Report of the Local Government Elections Task Force - pdf