Information for Candidates

Term of Office 

Local government and school district elections in BC are held every four years, and include elections for Mayor, Councillor and Islands Trust Trustee. If elected, the term of office will begin November 7, 2022 and ends immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected Council in the October 2026 general local election.

Time Commitment 

• Council meetings twice a month. All meetings are held at 6:15 PM.

• Public Hearings as required (typically 1-3 per year)

• Attendance at monthly Metro Vancouver Board Meetings (for appointed Metro Vancouver Director)

• Attendance at Islands Trust Council Meetings (for two elected Islands Trust Municipal Trustees) 

• Attendance at special meetings, workshops, strategic planning and committee meetings.

• Representation at external agencies (e.g. Metro Vancouver, TransLink, etc.) 

• Participation in community events. 

• Responding to inquiries from the public and media. 

A person may become a candidate as long as they have not been disqualified from seeking or holding elected office. A candidate for municipal Mayor and Councillor, and Trustee for the Islands Trust must:

• 18 years of age or older as of general election day
• a canadian citizen
• a resident of BC for 6 months before the nomination date 
• not subject to any of the disqualifications set out in section 81 of the Local Government Act. 

Inaugural Council Meeting 

When:     Monday, November 7, 2022 

Where:    Cates Hill Chapel, 661 Carter Road 

What:     The first Council meeting of the newly elected Council will be held at the Cates Hill Chapel and will include swearing in of the incoming Council and a wine and cheese social to follow. 

All Candidates Debate: not hosted by BIM

Bowen Island Municipality will not host an all-candidates debate. An outside organization, not affiliated with BIM, may host a meeting and invite candidates to participate. 

Thinking about running for office?

To learn more about the election and nomination process, Bowen Island Municipality and the local governance structure view the Candidate Information Presentation, from the Candiate Information Session held on Wednesday, August 17th. 

The provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs has produced a series of videos to give potential candidates information to help them with answers to questions that they may have about running for local office.

Islands Trust 

On October 15, 2022 voters will elect 26 trustees across the Islands Trust Area. Bowen Islands Electors will vote for two candidates to represent Bowen Island on the Islands Trust Council, as Islands Trust Municipal Trustees. Trustees will serve a four-year term from November 2022 to October 2026.

An Islands Trust Municipal Trustee is elected by having received the highest and second highest number of votes for Islands Trust, AND be elected as Mayor or Councillor. 

Read the 'General Information for Candidates - Islands Trust Local General Elections 2022' for more information, visit the Islands Trust website www.islandstrust.bc.ca/about-us/governance/2022-local-election/ or contact David Marlor, Director, Legislative Services:

Tel: 1-250-405-5169
Email: elections@islandstrust.bc.ca

Campaign Financing for Candidates 

The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) includes rules that candidates, elector organizations and advertising sponsors must follow, including disclosure requirements for campaign financing and election advertising.

The campaign financing rules create accountability and transparency by requiring financial agents to record and disclose detailed information about financial and non-financial activities. This includes campaign contributions, election expenses, and other deposits and expenditures related to a campaign.

2022 Candidate Expense Limits

2022 Third Party Expense Limits 

Read the changes to the Local Election Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) for the 2022 municipal election. 

It is Elections BC’s responsibility to educate participants on the campaign financing and election advertising requirements set out in LECFA. It is imperative that all inquiries be directed to Elections BC:

Toll-free: 1-855-952-0280
Email: lecf@elections.bc.ca
Website: www.elections.bc.ca/lecf

Other resources that you may want to look at:

Guide to Local Elections in B.C.

Potential Candidate Videos

Elector Organization Guide to Local Elections in B.C.