1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:06,720 Welcome everyone. Hello. Thank you for being here and 2 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:10,200 coming to the candidate information session for the 2026 general local 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:13,800 election. Please note that this session is being 4 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:17,280 recorded and will be made available on the District of Ucluelet's YouTube 5 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:21,640 channel for anyone who is unable to attend or would like to review the 6 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:25,160 information after today's session. My name is Florence Pulsifer and I serve 7 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:28,880 as the deputy chief election officer and deputy corporate officer for the 8 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:33,040 District of Ucluelet and uh joining me today we have Ed Caulder the district's 9 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:36,920 chief election officer and corporate officer, Daria Popova who's our 10 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,840 executive assistant and presiding officer. 11 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:44,120 We are also pleased to welcome Heather Zenner who's the uh manager of 12 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:48,440 administrative services for the ACRD and Paula Mason who's the manager of 13 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:52,840 corporate services for the SD70 oh sorry, ACRD and SD70. 14 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:58,320 Uh Heather and Paula will be joining us later in the presentation to provide an 15 00:00:54,520 --> 00:01:03,520 overview of a few slides um for their uh respective election processes. 16 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:07,000 So, the purpose of today's session is to provide prospective candidates with 17 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:11,040 information about the election process, key requirements, and what to expect if 18 00:01:08,960 --> 00:01:14,160 you choose to run for office. We hope that this will be an interactive session 19 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:19,160 so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask um raise your hand and 20 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:23,040 yeah, ask them. Next slide please, Daria. 21 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:32,040 So, candidate eligibility. So, to run for mayor or council you need to um meet 22 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:36,960 a few requirements so you need to be 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, a BC 23 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:41,120 resident for 6 months before nomination, and not disqualified by law for voting 24 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:44,880 in an election in BC, or from being nominated for, elected to, or holding 25 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:48,800 elected office. Candidate residency in the jurisdiction 26 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:53,640 is not required. Next slide please. 27 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:58,440 One of the most important things for anyone considering running for council 28 00:01:55,640 --> 00:02:03,360 is uh understanding the time commitment involved. Being an elected official is a 29 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:06,440 significant responsib- responsibility that requires a consistent commitment 30 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:08,800 throughout the year. Um 31 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:13,040 it does demand time for meetings, preparation, and community engagement. 32 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:17,160 In a typical year, council members attend approximately 22 uh regular 33 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:20,920 council meetings, three to four committee of the whole meetings, three 34 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:25,000 to four harbor authority meetings, special public meetings and public 35 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:29,560 hearings as needed, council orientation sessions, budget review and planning 36 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:33,800 sessions, council strategic planning sessions, local and regional community 37 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:36,760 meetings, um different public appearances, events, and political 38 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:41,131 events, and several annual conferences as well. 39 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:43,080 Um >> [clears throat] 40 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:47,440 » pardon me. However, the commitment extends beyond attending the meetings 41 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:50,840 and events. Council members are expected to review agendas and supporting 42 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:54,720 materials beforehand so they can participate in informed discussions and 43 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:59,000 make thoughtful decisions. So, the agendas are distributed five days before 44 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:02,760 the council meeting, so that's typically the Thursday afternoon, 45 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:06,760 and they may be several hundred pages in length, so reviewing the agenda package 46 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:12,280 in advance helps council members come to meetings well informed and prepared for 47 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:18,040 discussions, which is very important. Next slide, please, Daria. 48 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:21,920 Um so, as I mentioned before, council members are being appointed to 49 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:25,800 committees and they will have to attend committee meetings. 50 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:29,920 Um I won't go through all the committees that are that there are. You can see the 51 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:33,239 list on this slide here. Um council typically determines committee 52 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:37,000 assignments each year. While appointments are reviewed annually, 53 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:40,760 members often remain on the same commit- committees throughout their term to 54 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:43,280 build expertise, ensure continuity, and make their contributions more 55 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,160 meaningful. Next slide, please. 56 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:54,160 So, we're just going to go over a few of the 2026 general election key dates. So, 57 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:58,480 September 1st until September 11th is a nomination period. 58 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:02,640 September 11th um is declaration of candidates day. 59 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:07,200 September 11th, we also have the ballot draw by lot. So, the order in which 60 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:10,720 candidates names appear on the ballot will be determined by a random draw 61 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:16,920 conducted by the chief election officer or the deputy, myself. 62 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:21,000 September 18th, 2026 is the uh close of withdrawal period. So, 63 00:04:18,799 --> 00:04:23,919 um it it at 4:00 p.m. you have the candidate nomination withdrawal 64 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:29,040 deadline. So, that's the very last mhm 65 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:34,160 time that anyone who has submitted their nomination can withdraw. 66 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:38,640 October 7th, 2026 is advanced voting day. October 17th, 2026 is general 67 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:44,400 voting day. October 21st, 2026 is the last day to 68 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:50,160 declare the official results. On November 2nd, 2026 we have a council 69 00:04:46,919 --> 00:04:55,080 orientation session with um a consultant that will come in. November 70 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:59,880 3rd, 2026 is the inaugural council meeting. 71 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,880 Next slide, please, Daria. 72 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:06,240 So, we're just going to quickly go over the role of election officials here. 73 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:09,960 Um the chief election officer administers the election and delegates 74 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:13,600 responsibilities and powers to other election officials. The deputy chief 75 00:05:11,919 --> 00:05:19,800 election officer performs the duties of the chief election officer when the CEO 76 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:24,600 is absent or unable to act and uh also exercises delegated authorities. The 77 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:29,400 presiding election official supports the CEO and DCEO in overseeing the vote and 78 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:32,560 exercises delegated authorities as assigned as well. 79 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:36,640 And then we have also several election officials that will be 80 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:41,200 appointed um and they oversee the vote and exercise delegated authorities. So, 81 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:45,320 as I mentioned at the very beginning of this session, Ed Chow is the chief 82 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:49,480 election officer, I'm the deputy, and Daria is the presiding election 83 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:49,480 official. 84 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:56,360 Voters, so we do have two types of voters, resident electors and 85 00:05:53,960 --> 00:06:01,720 non-resident property electors. So, to be eligible um to be a voter as a 86 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:05,640 resident elector, you need to live in Ucluelet and meet all the other 87 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:10,400 qualifications. So, be 18 years of age or older when they register to vote or 88 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:15,840 18 years of or older on general voting day. Be a Canadian citizen, have been a 89 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:19,840 resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before they register to 90 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:22,960 vote, not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other 91 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:26,680 enactment from voting in local elections, or be otherwise disqualified 92 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:31,040 by law. So, non-resident property electors are 93 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:34,720 people who own property in Ucluelet but live elsewhere and meet all the other 94 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:37,600 qualifications that I just mentioned. So, the same as the resident electors 95 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:41,960 above. It's important to note that non-resident 96 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:46,080 property electors cannot vote more than once in the same jurisdiction. 97 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:50,040 Meaning you can only cast one vote in Ucluelet regardless of how many 98 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:53,160 properties uh you own there. For example, 99 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:57,120 if you live in Nanaimo and own one vacation property in Ucluelet, you may 100 00:06:55,120 --> 00:07:02,640 vote once in Nanaimo as a resident elector and once in Ucluelet as a 101 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:08,640 non-resident property elector. Um if a property is in Ucluelet is owned 102 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:13,080 by more than one person and none of the owners live in Ucluelet, only one of the 103 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:18,280 owners can use that property to qualify as a non-resident property elector. So, 104 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:22,040 the owners of that property will um have to decide who that person will be 105 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:27,919 and the choice must be supported in writing by a majority of owners. And um 106 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:30,720 that form needs to be brought at on the day of voting. 107 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:37,560 Um it's also important to note that a person cannot vote on behalf of a 108 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:40,960 corporation or as a non-resident property elector based on a property 109 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:43,720 owned wholly or in part by a corporation. 110 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:51,160 So, candidates are entitled to have a copy of the voters list. Candidates are 111 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:55,560 responsible for protecting the personal information that is on said list, and 112 00:07:54,120 --> 00:08:00,160 they are also responsible for ensuring that any campaign workers provided 113 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:05,280 access to the list are informed of the permitted uses of the list, understand 114 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:09,960 its confidential nature, track its provision, access, and distribution. 115 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:14,040 Um you can refer to the candidate acknowledgement of receipt of floor in 116 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:18,800 the nomination package. Um we have several copies at the back as well if 117 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,800 you haven't grabbed one yet. 118 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:24,400 So, candidates can appoint certain representatives to assist with the 119 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:29,520 administration of their election campaign and act on their behalf during 120 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:33,000 parts of the election process. Candidates can appoint a financial 121 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:36,919 agent. So, the financial agent is responsible to meet all financial 122 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:42,719 requirements of the local election campaign financing act. It can also be 123 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:47,960 the candidate themselves or someone that they appoint, and um that's done through 124 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:51,839 submitting form C4 of the nomination package to the chief election officer. 125 00:08:52,040 --> 00:09:01,040 Um candidates can appoint an official agent, uh and that official agent can be 126 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:04,560 a person appointed by the candidate to act on the candidate's behalf during the 127 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:09,600 election process. For example, the official agent may submit nomination 128 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:13,160 documents on behalf of the candidate. They may act as the candidate's 129 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:17,200 representative with election officials, receive communications related to the 130 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:23,160 candidate's nomination or campaign, attend certain election proceedings on 131 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:27,760 the candidate's behalf when permitted. Um and that is done through submitting 132 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:31,080 form C5 of the to the chief election officer. 133 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:36,400 The candidate can also appoint scrutineers. Um scrutineers will observe 134 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:40,680 the vote and ballot counting during voting days. Um each candidate may 135 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:46,480 appoint one scrutineer for each ballot box, and that is done through submitting 136 00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:52,280 form C6 to the Chief Election Officer. Scrutineers must sign this solemn 137 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:57,760 declaration. Next slide, please. The campaign period the campaign period 138 00:09:54,480 --> 00:10:04,040 begins at 12:01 a.m. on September 19th, 2026, and it ends at 4:00 p.m. on 139 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:07,640 October 17th, 2026. The expenses used in this period are subject to an expense 140 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:12,560 limit and must be reported on the campaign financing disclosure statement. 141 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:17,320 And um so we have the numbers here for uh the 142 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:22,680 candidate expense limits for You Kulet. And if you have any questions, please 143 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:22,680 contact Elections BC directly. 144 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:29,240 Election financing, it's important that candidates are aware of their campaign 145 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:33,960 responsibilities under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and 146 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:37,600 associated regulations. Financial agent duties, either once 147 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:42,000 again, either the the candidate themselves or appointed individual. 148 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:45,839 Um we'll go through them right now. So, the candidates must open and manage a 149 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:50,440 separate campaign bank account that is used exclusively for the candidate's 150 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:56,320 election campaign. They must accept and record all income. They must approve the 151 00:10:53,720 --> 00:11:00,920 expenses, and they must file a campaign financing report with um Elections BC 152 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:06,120 within 90 days after the general election on October 17th, which brings 153 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:10,000 us to January 15th, 2027. And they must also find maintain 154 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:13,120 financial records uh in uh British Columbia. 155 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:16,480 So, um pardon me. [clears throat] Candidate 156 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:21,360 must retain all financial records for 5 years after the general election. 157 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:25,600 Once again, please see the information on the Elections BC website. 158 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:33,080 Election advertising. So, election advertising includes any paid 159 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:37,920 communication to the public including canvassing so meaning going door-to-door 160 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:42,160 calling visiting businesses to talk about your campaign face-to-face 161 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:45,200 conversations that promotes or opposes the election of a candidate or an 162 00:11:43,680 --> 00:11:50,800 elector organization during the pre-campaign period or campaign period. 163 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:55,640 When candidates are conducting election advertising the message must include 164 00:11:52,680 --> 00:11:59,880 sponsorship information that indicates the ad is authorized by the financial 165 00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:03,200 agent includes the name of the financial agent 166 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:06,880 and provides a BC phone number BC mailing address or email address where 167 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:12,520 the financial agent can be contacted about the advertising. 168 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:17,360 Um election advertising must not be just distributed or transmitted on general 169 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:21,640 voting day. So it election advertising must not sponsor 170 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:24,760 Sorry, candidates must not sponsor election advertising saying on general 171 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:27,360 voting day except for certain activities. 172 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:31,720 So the following activities are permitted provided they are located more 173 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:34,400 than a 100 m from the voting place which is Ucluelet Community Centre 174 00:12:33,560 --> 00:12:37,280 here. Um 175 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:41,240 So I'll just go through the list with you here. We have free social media 176 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:45,920 posts, live person-to-person telephone calls or emails and text messages on a 177 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:49,680 non-commercial basis online advertising that was published before general voting 178 00:12:47,680 --> 00:12:54,200 day and not changed on general voting day online advertising with the sole 179 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:58,200 purpose of encouraging voters to go vote in the election 180 00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:02,120 in-person campaigning activities such as door-to-door canvassing handing out 181 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:06,360 brochures placing election signs or posters main streeting which means like 182 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:09,600 sign waving um 183 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:13,920 attending public campaign meetings or or rallies. 184 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:18,240 Next slide, please. Election signage so when it comes to the 185 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:24,240 installation and the removal of it it must not be displayed before September 186 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:29,840 19th, 2026 and it must be removed by October 19th, 2026. 187 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:34,080 The 100 m rule is that election signage must not be placed within 100 m of the 188 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:40,040 Colwood Community Centre during voting days on October 7th and October 17th. 189 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:40,040 Yes. 190 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,760 Yeah, that's a good question. 191 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:53,680 » Uh we will probably provide a mapping but at at a later time. Yeah. 192 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,480 Yeah. >> Yeah. 193 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,480 That's fair. 194 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:04,720 It's just the legal >> Uh yeah, uh 195 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:07,480 you actually were subject to some fines. And we 196 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:12,680 probably will have to take them and then call you to pick them up, but then you 197 00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:12,680 may subject to some fine. 198 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:23,040 » Thank you. And so, um you can see the district sign bylaw number 1060 20 20 199 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:28,440 2007, pardon me, which is available on the district website, and there's an 200 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:31,680 excerpt in the nomination package. And please see the Ministry of 201 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:37,839 Transportation and Transit Policy on highway rights-of-way for any signage 202 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:37,839 that is on the highway. 203 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:47,680 So, now we will go over a few election offenses, um as set out in part three, 204 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:53,320 division 18 of the Local Government Act, and in part seven of the Local Elections 205 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:56,480 Campaign Financing Act. So, here are a few of the most common ones, 206 00:14:55,880 --> 00:15:01,000 um some more subtle than others. 207 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:05,520 So, vote buying, accepting an inducement to vote, 208 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:09,800 intimidation, advertising on general voting day except 209 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:15,000 as permitted under the exceptions out outlined on slide 13th, 210 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:18,880 um falsely withdrawing a candidate or an endorsement, so meaning making a false 211 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:22,880 statement that a candidate has withdrawn from the election or that an endorsement 212 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:28,560 of a candidate has been withdrawn in an attempt to mislead voters, 213 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:32,920 fraudulent voting, interfering with ballots or ballot 214 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:38,320 boxes, canvassing advertising within 100 m of a voting place, any other activity 215 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:41,160 contrary to the Local Government Act. Next slide, please. 216 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:47,760 The municipality will not host an all candidates meeting. Um if a local group 217 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:52,080 is hosting an all candidates meeting, they will be in touch with candidates 218 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:55,040 directly. Next slide, please. 219 00:15:56,080 --> 00:16:04,200 For after the election, so um all candidates must file a campaign 220 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:08,640 disclosure statement with Elections BC by January 15th, 2027. 221 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:13,040 And then if you're late, penalties with a will apply. 222 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:17,160 Um the council orientation session will take place on November 2nd, 2026, and 223 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:21,800 the first council meeting following the election is on November 3rd, 2026. That 224 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:26,520 is when council members will take their oath of office at the inaugural council 225 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:31,000 meeting on November 3rd. I will now turn it over to Heather 226 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:34,240 and Paula afterwards. 227 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:40,120 » Thank you, Florence. Um so my name is Heather Zinner. I work 228 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:43,680 for the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. I'm the manager of 229 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:46,160 administrative services, and I'm the deputy chief Oh, did I press the wrong 230 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,320 button? >> No. 231 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:55,000 » I need to get closer. Okay. And I am the deputy chief election 232 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:59,120 officer for the upcoming election for the regional district electoral areas, 233 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:04,400 as well as the school district uh trustee election. 234 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:07,120 Next slide, please. So I'll just share a little bit of 235 00:17:05,439 --> 00:17:12,360 information about the regional district. So we were formed in 1966 by the 236 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:16,439 province of BC. We're governed by the Local Government Act and the Community 237 00:17:14,120 --> 00:17:20,720 Charter, and we provide services to our 13 member jurisdictions jurisdictions as 238 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:25,199 shown on the screen. We have six electoral areas, three municipalities, 239 00:17:23,319 --> 00:17:29,760 and four treaty nations. Next slide, please. 240 00:17:28,120 --> 00:17:35,360 So, the composition of the regional board is made up of 14 directors. 241 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:38,240 So, the six electoral areas are elected. So, one director for each electoral 242 00:17:37,120 --> 00:17:42,400 area. And uh there are four directors from 243 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:46,400 municipalities. So, the district of Ucluelet and Ucluelet and Tofino each 244 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:49,560 have one director on our board, and the city of Port Alberni because they have a 245 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:54,800 larger population, they have two directors on our board. 246 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:57,920 And each treaty First Nation has four or each treaty nation has one director on 247 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:01,600 our board. And the municipalities and treaty 248 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:06,120 nations are all appointed by their councils. 249 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,120 Next slide. 250 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:14,360 So, the uh school board is governed by the School Act, and the school district 251 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:19,040 has two uh geographic areas. So, the Alberni Valley and Bamfield is the first 252 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:21,800 area, and they elect six trustees in that area. 253 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:25,760 And then the West Coast, which includes the district of Ucluelet, Tofino, and 254 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:29,800 the Long Beach electoral area, they elect one trustee 255 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:32,920 for a total of seven trustees making up the school board. 256 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:37,880 Next slide. Um this map just shows the six electoral 257 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:41,680 areas as well as the treaty First Nation lands in the regional district. 258 00:18:42,120 --> 00:18:49,000 So, the time commitment for the regional district directors 259 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:53,120 is also significant. Um we have two board meetings per month, which are 260 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:56,880 scheduled. Uh we hold our board meetings on Wednesday afternoons. 261 00:18:55,280 --> 00:19:01,600 We have uh committee of the whole meetings are um quarterly, as well as 262 00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:05,360 West Coast committee meetings and electoral area director meetings are 263 00:19:03,120 --> 00:19:09,280 also on a quarterly basis. There are are other committee 264 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:13,280 appointment responsibilities. Um in addition, there's always public 265 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:18,480 events, uh invitations to community events, annual conference, and public 266 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:22,960 hearings that require to be facilitated. All of our meetings are held in a hybrid 267 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:28,760 format. So, we have our meetings in Port Alberni and directors are also able to 268 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,760 attend via Zoom. 269 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:35,120 Next slide. Yeah, the school district time commitment. 270 00:19:33,120 --> 00:19:38,920 So, the monthly meetings include one public board meeting as well as one in 271 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:42,840 camera board meeting. There's two standing committees and 272 00:19:41,120 --> 00:19:46,040 additionally there may be other special board or committee meetings scheduled 273 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:50,400 throughout the year. There are monthly school visits that the 274 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:54,800 trustees will attend. There are also conference opportunities. 275 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:59,600 Some are intended for all trustees and some are for specific trustees. 276 00:19:57,360 --> 00:20:03,200 And they're all there are other internal external committee appointments in 277 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:08,160 addition to public appearances, advocacy work, and invitation to community 278 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:08,160 events. 279 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:15,320 So, nomination packages for the regional district electoral area directors and 280 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:19,800 school district trustees will be available on Tuesday, August 18th. 281 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:23,600 They're available Monday through Friday during regular office hours. 282 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:27,640 They can be picked up at the regional district office or if you reach out to 283 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:31,840 us, we can send one to you electronically. 284 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:36,360 As Florence mentioned, the nomination period is September 1st through 11th. We 285 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:40,000 encourage potential um 286 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:43,040 folks running running in the election to reach out to us, set up an appointment 287 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:46,840 so that we can review your nomination packages, ensure that everything is 288 00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:50,440 filled out correctly, and give you time to adjust if necessary. 289 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:59,920 The campaign period September 19th through voting day on October 7th. 290 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:04,160 Elections BC sets expense limits as shown on the screen and more information 291 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:08,320 can be found by visiting the Elections BC website. 292 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:15,880 So for the voting opportunities in the regional district on October 7th, we 293 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:19,400 will be here in Ucluelet and Tofino as well as at the ACRD office for advanced 294 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:22,760 voting. We have a second advanced voting 295 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:25,360 opportunity on October 14th at the regional district office in Port 296 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:29,920 Alberni. Um general voting day is October 17th 297 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:33,440 and we will have multiple voting locations throughout the regional 298 00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:37,080 district. Um those have not yet been determined and will be determined after 299 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:41,160 the candidate candidates have been declared. 300 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:44,440 We also offer mail ballots. So anybody choosing to vote in the regional 301 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:50,680 district or school district trustee election can request a mail ballot mail 302 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:50,680 ballot by reaching out to our office. 303 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:56,480 And next slide, please. Uh so after the election, the inaugural 304 00:21:54,960 --> 00:22:01,440 board meeting for the regional district is November 12th and we will start um 305 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:05,880 training in November and continue through December. 306 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:13,560 The inaugural school board meeting is November 3rd and November will start 307 00:22:09,360 --> 00:22:16,760 their uh trustee orientation. And I just really appreciate the 308 00:22:15,120 --> 00:22:20,480 District of Ucluelet staff for giving us time to speak tonight, but I will invite 309 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:24,280 Paula Mason up from the school district to um to speak to the next slide. 310 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:36,040 » Thank you. I just wanted um to introduce myself quickly. I'm Paula Mason, the 311 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:40,640 manager of corporate services for um Pacific Rim School District. Um I'm just 312 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:44,520 I would just wanted to note um a couple of things briefly about the opportunity 313 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:48,800 to run for school trustee in the upcoming election. 314 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:52,880 Um school trustees play an important role in public education. 315 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:57,240 As members of the Board of Education, they help to set the strategic direction 316 00:22:55,040 --> 00:23:01,960 of the school district uh and to make decisions that support the success and 317 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:06,440 well-being of all the students. Uh you don't need to be an educator to 318 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:09,960 uh, run for trustee. Uh, boards benefit from people with all 319 00:23:08,120 --> 00:23:14,840 different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and most importantly, a 320 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:19,240 genuine interest in their community and in public education. 321 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:24,360 Excuse me, I left my glasses in the car last minute, so I've zoomed in on my 322 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,360 notes [laughter] here. 323 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:34,440 If you're even thinking about running uh, um, to be a school trustee, I would 324 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:39,080 encourage everybody to uh, to seek more information about it. Um, we've prepared 325 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:43,640 a candidate information guide, which is a little bit more specific to um, the 326 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:48,000 school district as an organization, um, and to what's involved in the role. Um, 327 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:51,120 we do have a a different um, legislation. Uh, we're governed by the 328 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:55,880 School Act as um, Heather mentioned. 329 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:59,600 Um, and uh, she also reviewed um, what the time commitments are. The candidate 330 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:03,080 information guide kind of goes into a little bit more depth about the 331 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:08,880 organization and what can be expected. Um, it is on our website, um, and if you 332 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:13,240 uh, I do have some paper copies here with me, as well as the QR code on 333 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:17,480 screen. Uh, feel free to um, 334 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:23,000 take a uh, shot of that, and it'll bring you right to the link on our website. 335 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:26,400 Um, if you have any questions, um, we'll be here for a few minutes after. 336 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:30,640 I'm happy to answer. Um, and other than that, thank you for 337 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:34,280 considering the opportunity to serve the students and our future community. 338 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:38,400 Thanks for the time. >> Thank you, Paula. 339 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:42,200 I'm just going to add a few um, more pieces of information regarding the 340 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:46,080 nomination packages. So, the the nomination packages um, will 341 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:51,480 be available for download on the district website, or for pick up at the 342 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:55,440 district office as of Thank you, Daria. Um, as of tomorrow morning. And we also 343 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:59,040 have a few hard copies in the back there. You're more than welcome to grab 344 00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:03,600 one. So, candidates may submit their nomination documents to the chief 345 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:07,080 election officer in person, by mail, or electronically, so long as the documents 346 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:10,800 are received by the end of the nomination period, which is 4:00 p.m. on 347 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:15,400 September 11th. So, between September 1st 9:00 a.m. September 11th 4:00 p.m. 348 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:19,080 Candidates are no longer required to deliver deliver the originals of 349 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:24,000 nomination documents submitted by fax or email. So, that's new in the legislation 350 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:27,960 as of 2025. So, please note if submitting the nomination package by 351 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:32,160 email, candidates must make the required solemn declaration before a commissioner 352 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:36,160 for taking affidavits for BC, so either a lawyer or a notary. 353 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:40,280 Adam and myself are also commissioners for taking affidavits in BC as corporate 354 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:44,080 officers. So, you're more than welcome to book an appointment with either of us 355 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:47,280 during the the nomination period so we can take care of solemn declaration and 356 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:50,720 sign it. Um, it's also 357 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:55,480 important to note that candidate personal information such as personal uh 358 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:59,080 telephone numbers, residential addresses will be redacted 359 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:02,280 um because some portions of the nomination package will be made 360 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:08,400 available for public inspection on the website and um in person. 361 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:12,200 And um as per the district election and assent 362 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:18,120 voting bylaw, the minimum number of qualified nominators required to make a 363 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:21,080 nomination for office is two. And so, that's uh 364 00:26:21,120 --> 00:26:28,280 Um and yeah, to nominate a candidate for local office, a nominate a nominator 365 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:32,000 must be 18 years of age or older or older, pardon me, be a Canadian citizen, 366 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:36,760 have been a resident of BC for at least 6 months, be a resident in the 367 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:42,520 municipality or electoral area for which the nomination is being made, or in the 368 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:48,600 case of a non-property resident elector um owning 369 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:51,240 real estate in the municipality. And thank you. Adam, did you want to add 370 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:56,840 anything? >> Yeah, so minimum is two nominator, but 371 00:26:54,000 --> 00:27:00,160 we do recommend you get a couple more because we do 372 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:05,640 want to make sure the nominator actually is eligible, right? Living within UK. 373 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:09,880 And another is appointment because if you feel you make appointment, we can go 374 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:14,680 through all the papers. If you need a missing anything, we can do it the right 375 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:17,040 away rather than wait to the deadline. Thanks. 376 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:23,720 » Any questions? Yes. 377 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,080 Yes. 378 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:41,600 » You want Yeah, no, we are not allowed. Yeah, district municipality, we all a 379 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:45,160 neutral party. We uh 380 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:50,440 uh organize the election meeting, but we cannot do a all candidate forum because 381 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:54,720 all candidate forum usually is done by a third party like a chamber of commerce 382 00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:57,720 or some other organization, right? Uh there is a 383 00:27:56,040 --> 00:28:03,760 like a legal implications because municipality 384 00:28:00,120 --> 00:28:07,960 cannot show favor toward any candidate. So, if we are the one organize all 385 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:12,640 candidate forum, some people may attend, some people may not attend. That will be 386 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:17,720 perceived some sort of a sponsorship, advertising, 387 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:23,320 uh you know, so we we do not host uh not only us. Like I'm not aware of any 388 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:26,040 municipality in BC they host all candidate forum. 389 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:33,720 Oh, that'll be good. That'll good to know. Yeah. 390 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,680 That'll be good. 391 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:46,280 » Any other questions? 392 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:53,960 Okay, well, thank you very much for attending today's session. We appreciate 393 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:56,840 it and um >> The slides and the recording will be 394 00:28:55,600 --> 00:29:00,240 available on the website. >> Yeah. 395 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:03,720 Yeah. >> Thanks for attending. Thank you.