Information for Candidates

Content

What do I need to know if I am interested in running for office?

Nomination Process
A candidate must be nominated in writing by two persons who are electors in Maple Ridge.  Nomination information must include:

• the full name of the person nominated
• the usual name of the person nominated, if preferred
• the office for which the person is nominated
• endorsement by an elector organization, if applicable
• the residential address of the person nominated
• the names and residential addresses of the nominators
• a statement signed by the nominators that the person is qualified

Nomination packages for candidates interested in running for Mayor [PDF, 1MB], Councillor [PDF, 1MB] or School Trustee [PDF, 1MB] can be accessed by clicking on your package of choice.   Copies are also available at Municipal Hall.  Access to nomination documents will be provided on the District of Maple Ridge website from the date of the official declaration of an election by voting until the declaration of the official election results.  For this election, that time period will be Monday, October 20, 2008 until Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Term of Office
If you are elected to local office, you will be expected to serve a three-year term. This term begins on the first Monday after the first day of December following the election.

Time Commitment
Council meets all day Monday and three Tuesday evenings a month beginning at 7:00 p.m. (Click here to see the 2008 Council Schedule). In addition to regular meetings, council members will be asked to sit on special committees, boards or commission. These will require a significant time investment and will often include weekly meetings, usually in the evening.
(Click here for more information on Council)

Remuneration
Click here for information on the remuneration package for the Council to be elected in November.

Access to Campaign Financing Documents
Campaign financing documents will be available on the District of Maple Ridge website for three months following the filing deadline date (120 days after General Voting Day).  Changes to the Local Government Act require "campaign organizers" (persons or organizations) to now file Campaign Financing Disclosure Papers for Campaign Organizers as well Campaign Financing Disclosure Papers for Candidates.  Please refer to Division 8 of the Local Government Act for specific details. 

Who may run
You may run for local government office if you:

• are a Canadian citizen
• are at least 18 years old on election day
• have lived in BC for at least the last 6 months
• have not been disqualified for voting in a BC local election
• You do not have to live in Maple Ridge to run for office.

You do not qualify as a Candidate if you:

• are a judge of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal
• are an employee or salaried officer of the local government (unless you have taken a leave of absence to run for office and agree to resign if elected)
• are under sentence for an indictable offence and are in custody or in prison
• have been found guilty of an elections offence, such as double voting or buying votes, and are prohibited from holding office
• are disqualified for not filing a disclosure statement in a previous election (section 92) or for not making an oath of office or attending meetings (section 211)

Detailed information can be found in the BC Government's Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. as well as in a Candidates Information Presentation provided to interested parties by the District of Maple Ridge.

Governance of Meetings
Click here to view the Maple Ridge Council Procedure Bylaw