The District of Invermere will be holding a Local Government by-election for one position on Council on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

The Ethics of Elected Office

Elected officials are entrusted with significant decision-making authority. Mayors and Councillors have great deal of influence over, and responsibility for, the services and programs that citizens receive. Elected officials must conduct themselves in an open, transparent, and accountable manner and avoid situations that may bring their integrity or the integrity of the council into question. 

Term of Office

If you are elected to Local Government office, you are expected to serve a full four-year term. This term will officially begin on March 14, 2023.

Election Administration

Each local government (municipality or regional district) is responsible for conducting its own general local election.

Elections BC is responsible for managing campaign financing disclosure requirements, investigations, and enforcing the campaign financing and third-party advertising provisions set out in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.  Elections BC’s role also extends to by-elections and assent voting held by local election authorities outside of the general local election cycle.

Candidate Information

The Government of British Columbia, Local Government Branch, provides the following information: “Elections are the most direct way for the public to directly influence their local government… During the election process, candidates generally outline their platforms and objectives if they were to be elected. By choosing the candidates with the ideals and qualities that are most acceptable to the electors, citizens can directly influence the type of community where they reside or own property.”

Summary of qualifications for the office of Councillor. You must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (March 4, 2023);
• be a Canadian citizen;
• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately prior to filing nomination documents (prior to July 26, 2022);
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

You do not have to reside in the jurisdiction in which you are running for public office.

Local elections candidates must be nominated by eligible electors and declared a candidate by the local Chief Election Officer.

Elections BC helps local elections candidates and their financial agents understand the rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Among other requirements, local elections candidates must:

• Open a separate campaign account and use it for all financial transactions. If you have difficulty opening a campaign account at a savings institution, click here for a letter you can take to the institution that explains the legislated requirement.
• File a disclosure statement with Elections BC within 90 days after General Voting Day.

For more information about the rules, read the Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. or visit the Local Elections FAQs page on the Elections BC website.

Elections BC tools for local elections candidates and their financial agents:

• Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C.
• Local Elections Financial Agent Site
• Disclosure Statement Completion Guide for Local Elections Candidates
• Local elections candidate disclosure statement forms
• Financial Agent Appointment Update.

Campaign Financing Disclosures for candidates in the 2023 by-election local election will be available on the Elections BC website.

Council Remuneration

District of Invermere Councillor’s remuneration is $14,870 per year with an annual CPI increase.

Voter Information

The Government of British Columbia, Local Government Branch, provides the following voter information:

“In most provinces, the eligibility for voting in local government elections is limited to residents only. In British Columbia, residents can vote, as can persons that own property in a local government jurisdiction, even if they do not reside there. Further information about voter eligibility can be found in the Voter’s Guide to Local Government Elections in B.C. (available in multiple languages).”

Who can vote?

You can vote in the District of Invermere election if you are a resident of the District of Invermere (“resident elector”), or own property in the District of Invermere even if you don’t reside in the District of Invermere (“nonresident property elector”).

Requirements for resident electors. You must be:

• age 18 or older on the day of registration or on general voting day for the election;
• Canadian citizen;
• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration
• not disqualified from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

Requirements for nonresident property electors. You must be:

• age 18 or older on the day of registration, or on general voting day for the election;
• Canadian citizen;
• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
• registered owner of real property in the District of Invermere for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;
• persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common; and not disqualified from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

A person may register as a nonresident property elector only in relation to one parcel of real property in a municipality or electoral area.

Identification:

To register to vote as a resident elector at the time of voting you will need two of the following identification documents showing residency and identity, and one must contain a signature:

• BC Driver’s Licence*
• BC Identification Card
• BC Services Card*
• ICBC Registration
• Citizenship Card
• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Property Tax notice
• Credit card or debit card
• Utility bill

*If you have a combined BC Driver’s Licence and Service Card, it counts as only one piece of identification.

To register as a nonresident property elector at the time of voting you will need proof of property ownership and identification:

• property tax notice/certificate
  • property assessment notice from BC Assessment
  • State of Title Certificate
  • Certificate of Indefeasible Title
• if applicable, written consent of a majority of the registered owners on title
• two pieces of identification as listed above for resident electors

Past Election Results

District of Invermere past election results (link CivicInfo)

Elections BC
1-800-661-8683
email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca
website: www.elections.bc.ca

District of Invermere Election Information
Kindry Dalke, Chief Election Officer
corporateservices@invermere.net
250-342-9281 ext. 1228

Note: Information on this election web page is provided for ease of reference. It is not intended to provide complete and comprehensive election information and is not a substitution for the rules and regulations regarding general local elections in the Local Government Act, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, or any other applicable statute