+ How do I apply for a recall petition?
An applicant must submit the following to Elections BC:
+ How does Elections BC evaluate recall petition applications?
We evaluate applications based on the requirements of the Recall and Initiative Act. We also ensure that applications meet all other applicable legal and legislative requirements. We have no discretion to evaluate applications on other criteria, such as the likelihood of the petition’s success.
+ Does Elections BC assess the proponent’s reasons for launching a recall petition?
No, we do not assess or endorse the proponent’s reason for launching a petition. We do review their statement on why the Member should be recalled to ensure it is 200 words or less, as this is a requirement established by the Recall and Initiative Act.
+ When can I submit a recall application?
Applications can only be submitted after the first 18 months following the election of an MLA in a provincial general election or by-election AND more than six months before the next scheduled provincial general election.
+ What are valid reasons to recall an MLA?
There is no set criteria. Applicants must provide a statement of
200 words or less of why, in the opinion of the applicant, the MLA should be recalled.
+ Can I apply to recall a Mayor or City Councillor?
No, there is no recall process for mayors or councillors in B.C. Elections BC administers the
Recall and Initiative Act, but this legislation only applies to provincial MLAs. For more information about campaign financing and advertising rules in local elections, see our
Local Elections FAQs.
+ Can a group or an organization begin a recall campaign?
No. Only an individual who is a registered voter in the MLA’s electoral district can apply to have a petition issued.
+ Can there be multiple recalls against the same MLA at one time?
No. There can only be one active recall petition per MLA at a time.
+ Can a proponent be changed during the recall period?
No. If a recall proponent is unable to continue with the recall campaign at any point before the petition sheets are returned, the proponent must advise Elections BC. All materials provided by Elections BC must be returned, at which time the recall period will end. If there is interest in continuing, a new proponent must begin a new campaign.
+ Who will have access to the voters list?
The proponent and the MLA are provided with lists of individuals who were registered voters for the electoral district during the last election.
The voters list may only be used in accordance with section 275 of the Election Act and the Electoral Purposes for Access to and Use of Personal Information Regulation. Anyone who wishes to access the voters list must first file a privacy policy with Elections BC that is acceptable to the Chief Electoral Officer. Visit the Privacy Policy page for more information.
+ How do I become a canvasser?
Completed
recall canvasser applications must be submitted to the proponent, who is responsible for registering canvassers with Elections BC. The proponent will be notified by Elections BC once the approved canvassers have been registered.
+ Who can register as a canvasser?
Canvassers must be registered to vote in British Columbia but do not have to be a registered voter in the MLA’s electoral district. By law, canvassers must be volunteers and cannot be compensated for their time.
+ Where can I find the rules around canvassing?
The rules are established in the
Recall and Initiative Act. It is very important for canvassers to know their responsibilities and the rules governing their conduct. Not following the rules can constitute an offence under the Act. Additional information is available in the
Recall Petition Canvasser Guide.
+ When can canvasser applications be submitted to Elections BC?
Any time after an application for a recall petition has been received by Elections BC until the end of the petition period. Note that if the recall petition is not approved, the canvasser applications associated with that petition will also be rejected.
+ I was not a registered voter when the petition was issued. Can I still canvass?
+ If there is more than one recall campaign, do I have to register as a canvasser for each one?
Yes. A canvasser may register to canvass for more than one recall petition, but a separate registration must be made for each petition.
+ If I am the proponent, do I need to register as a canvasser?
+ How can I prove that I am a registered canvasser?
Elections BC will issue an identification card to all registered canvassers who must carry it with them and produce it upon request.
+ Do canvassers have the right to access private property or public facilities to gather signatures?
No. Canvassers must obtain permission from the landlord or property owner before gathering signatures on private property or at public facilities. This includes apartment buildings, strata properties, malls, recreation centres, and schools. Wherever signatures are being gathered, canvassers must abide by any applicable bylaws, rules or regulations.
+ If I am a business owner, can I canvass at my work place?
Yes, as long as you are a registered canvasser.
+ If I am an employer, can I pay my employees to canvass my customers?
No. Paying an employee to canvass while performing their regular job would be considered an inducement. Compensation in the form of extra vacation or leave is also considered an inducement.
+ If I am an employee, can I canvass at my work place while doing my regular job?
No. By law, canvassers must be volunteers. Canvassing while performing a regular job or duties would be considered as being paid for canvassing or collecting an inducement for canvassing.
+ Can I leave petition sheets on a counter or table for customers to sign?
No. Petition sheets must not be left unattended by a canvasser. The canvasser must personally witness all voters signing their petition sheets.
+ What is the recall voters list? Why am I finding so many people who are not on the list?
The recall voters list is compiled by Elections BC with the names of all the individuals who were registered voters for the electoral district at the time of the last election of the MLA. There are a number of reasons why an individual’s name may not appear on the list:
- they may not be a registered voter
- they may have not been registered to vote at the time of the last election
- they may have moved into the electoral district since the last election
- they may live near, but just outside, the electoral district boundary and are not eligible
- they may have assumed that registering as a municipal or federal voter automatically registered them as a provincial voter, which is not always the case
+ How does Elections BC handle complaints about the behaviour of canvassers?
Complaints relating to the conduct of canvassers are reviewed by Elections BC. Where a complaint is found to be valid, the proponent is advised to correct the conduct of their canvassers. Canvassers must ensure that they abide by the legislation and regulations with respect to canvassing.
+ What if someone disrupts a recall meeting or rally?
If an event is open to the general public, anyone may attend. If an individual disrupts the meeting or intimidates any of the attendees, the appropriate remedy is to call the police.
+ Who is eligible to sign a recall petition?
To be eligible to sign a recall petition, signatories must:
- be a registered voter in B.C., and
- have been registered to vote in the MLA’s electoral district when the MLA was last elected in a provincial general election or by-election
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, contact Elections BC toll-free at 1-800-661-8683.
+ I am a registered voter but did not vote in the last election. Can I sign the petition?
Yes. You are entitled to sign the petition as long as you were registered to vote when the MLA was last elected in a provincial general election or by-election.
+ I moved into the electoral district after the MLA was elected. Can I sign the petition?
No. To be eligible to sign the petition, the
Recall and Initiative Act requires that an individual was registered to vote in the MLA’s electoral district when the MLA was last elected in a provincial general election or by-election.
+ I moved out of the electoral district after the MLA was elected. Can I sign the petition?
You are still eligible to sign the petition if you were a registered voter in the electoral district when the MLA was last elected and you are still a registered voter in B.C. You must sign the petition using your current address and must ensure your
voter registration is current before the petition is submitted to Elections BC.
+ When and where can I sign the petition?
Recall petitions can only be signed after the petition has been issued by Elections BC. For information about where to sign, contact the proponent of the petition.
+ Can I sign on the Internet?
No. There are no official recall petitions online. Recall petitions must be signed by registered voters, in ink, on official paper petition sheets. Signatures collected in any other way are not accepted.
+ If I am a canvasser, can I sign and witness my own signature on a petition sheet?
No. You may only sign a petition sheet belonging to another canvasser.
+ What if I am physically unable to sign the petition? Can a family member, friend, or assistant sign on my behalf?
+ Can I sign more than once?
+ What information do I have to provide when I sign a recall petition?
Every signature on a recall petition must be accompanied by the residential address of the individual who signed. Postal addresses, such as PO box numbers, are not acceptable. Signatures not accompanied by a residential address will not be counted.
+ Why am I asked to provide my phone number when I sign the petition?
Although providing your phone number is voluntary, it is important to the recall process. You may be called by Elections BC to confirm that you signed the petition or by the proponent to confirm that your information is correct.
+ If I sign the petition, will my personal information be made public?
The
Recall and Initiative Act requires that petition sheets be made available for public inspection for one year from the time it is filed or submitted. Voters who sign the petition may request that their residential address and phone number be obscured from public inspection by checking the box next to their signature on the petition. Individuals who request to view copies of recall petition sheets are required to sign a declaration stating that the personal information viewed will not be used except as permitted under the
Recall and Initiative Act and the
Election Act. Section 163(2) of the
Recall and Initiative Act provides for penalties of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years for the misuse of personal information. Elections BC has the authority to collect, use, disclose and dispose of personal information under the
Recall and Initiative Act. This information is used to administer recall petitions as required by statute. For information about Elections BC’s privacy policies visit our
Privacy page.
+ I have moved since the last election. Which address should I use?
You must sign the petition with your current residential address. Registration information can be
updated online or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
+ I have changed my name since the last election. Which name should I use?
The name that you use to sign the petition must match the name on the current provincial voters list. Registration information can be
updated online or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
+ I haven’t moved but local government authorities have changed the name of my street (or given us a house number). I’ve signed the petition with the new address information. Will my signature still be counted?
Your signature will be counted if you contact Elections BC to update your voter registration before the petition is submitted for verification. Registration information can be
updated online or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
+ My street has two names, which should I use?
The street name you normally use when describing where you live. Elections BC maintains a list of common alternate street names (such as Pat Bay Highway instead of Highway 17), so your signature will likely be accepted. If you are unsure, please advise Elections BC of a potential address mismatch by calling 1-800-661-8683.
+ What if I make a mistake when signing the petition?
To correct mistakes, neatly put a line through the mistake and make the necessary correction. If the name or address becomes unreadable after the correction, put a line through the petition row and start again on a new row.
+ I’ve signed the petition but have changed my mind – can I have my name removed?
The proponent may remove any signature from the petition upon the request of the voter. However, the proponent is not compelled to do so. Elections BC has no direct control over the signatures on a petition during the canvassing period, and once the petition has been submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC cannot remove a name from the petition.
+ What is recall advertising?
Recall petition period advertising is any advertising message transmitted to the public that promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, the recall of the MLA who is the subject of the petition. This includes, but is not limited to, leaflets, lawn signs, billboards, brochures, buttons, and sponsored advertising that appears in newspapers, on radio, on television, or on the internet. Outside of a petition period, recall advertising includes any advertising message transmitted to the public that directly promotes or opposes the recall of a MLA. A direct advertising message is one that references the recall process in B.C. and either names the MLA, includes an image or likeness of the MLA, or identifies the MLA by voice, physical description or electoral district. Individuals and organizations that want to sponsor recall advertising at any time should contact Elections BC to ensure they are aware of the rules.
+ What are the rules that recall advertising sponsors must follow?
Recall advertising sponsors have rules they must follow including:
- Registering with Elections BC prior to conducting any advertising,
- Including their name and contact information on all advertising,
- Ensuring they are only accepting contributions from eligible individuals,
- Ensuring they do not accept contributions in excess of the contribution limit,
- Not exceeding the advertising limit for that recall, and
- Filing disclosure statements with Elections BC.
The rules apply both during a recall petition period and outside a recall petition period (non-petition period) to any sponsor conducting recall advertising.
+ Who must register as a recall advertising sponsor?
Any individual or organization who sponsors non-petition period recall advertising or petition period recall advertising, other than the proponent of the petition and the MLA, must register by submitting the
Recall Advertising Sponsor Application for Registration form. A recall advertising sponsor continues to be registered until either the sponsor:
- submits a request to be removed to Elections BC
- is removed from the register by the Chief Electoral Officer for failure to comply
+ When can I register as a recall advertising sponsor?
Registration
applications can be submitted at any time and must identify the electoral district(s) where the sponsor’s recall advertisements are being placed. Only an individual or organization that is registered with Elections BC is allowed to sponsor petition period and non-petition period recall advertising that promotes or opposes recalling the MLA of that electoral district. Recall advertising sponsors remain registered in that electoral district until they submit a request to Elections BC to be removed or are removed from the register by the Chief Electoral Officer for failure to comply.
+ Can I place advertising in my local paper/TV supporting or opposing the petition?
+ Can I place supporting or opposing notices on my store/business website?
Yes. Messages transmitted on the internet are generally not recall advertising unless money has been paid to sponsor or boost the message. If you have sponsored or boosted the website message, you must
register as a recall advertising sponsor with Elections BC and display the authorization statement.
+ Can I put up signs supporting or opposing the recall petition in my home or business?
Yes. You can display signs received from the petition proponent or MLA or a registered recall advertising sponsor. If you pay to have your own signs produced, you must
register as a recall advertising sponsor with Elections BC.All sponsored advertising supporting or opposing the petition must have the authorization statement of a registered recall advertising sponsor, the proponent’s financial agent, or the MLA’s financial agent.
+ Are there any spending limits on recall advertising?
Yes. There are spending limits on advertising during the recall petition period for an individual or organization, other than the proponent or the MLA. Elections BC calculates the recall advertising limit, which is published in the BC Gazette, posted on our website and communicated to all advertising sponsors at the start of the recall petition period. There are no limits on recall advertising sponsored during a non-petition period.
+ Who can make a contribution to a recall advertising sponsor?
Only an individual who is a resident of B.C. and either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can contribute to a recall advertising sponsor. All organizations and individuals who reside outside of B.C. are prohibited from making contributions in relation to a recall petition. A contributor must provide written confirmation that they are eligible to make a contribution and consent to use the contribution in relation to a recall petition. An eligible individual must not contribute more than the annual limit.
+ Do recall advertising sponsors need to file disclosure reports?
It depends. A recall advertising sponsor that sponsors more than $500 in recall advertising is required to file disclosure reports with Elections BC. Depending on when the recall advertising was conducted, the recall reports that may need to be filed include: pre-petition period disclosure report, post-petition disclosure report, or calendar year disclosure report. In addition, a sponsor who conducts more than $5,000 in non-petition period recall advertising is also required to file initial and subsequent disclosure reports. Recall advertising sponsors who do not sponsor more than $500 in recall advertising are not required to file discourse reports. Note, Elections BC may follow-up with any registered sponsor who does not file to confirm the value of recall advertising sponsored.
+ Can a proponent submit financial agent or assistant financial agent appointment forms before the recall petition application has been submitted?
No. The appointment forms should be sent in for processing with the application for a recall petition. However,
financial agents and
assistant financial agents should complete and sign the appointment form before they start receiving recall contributions and incurring recall expenses. Financial agents should contact Elections BC as soon as possible to confirm the requirements. As a reminder, if a proponent or MLA is conducting direct recall advertising outside of the recall petition period, they must register with Elections BC as a recall advertising sponsor.
+ Can a proponent accept contributions prior to the recall petition period?
Yes. Recall contributions can be accepted prior to the start of the recall petition period to use towards recall advertising during the petition period. A proponent collecting contributions to use towards sponsoring non-petition period recall advertising that directly promotes the recall of an MLA must register as a recall advertising sponsor. These are sponsorship contributions. Both recall contributions and sponsorship contributions are subject to rules under the
Recall and Initiative Act. The contributor must provide written confirmation that they are eligible and consent for their contribution to be for recall advertising. The contribution must not exceed the annual limit. If an individual registered as a recall advertising sponsor becomes a proponent, any contributions that they received prior to the start of the recall petition period that were not used to sponsor non-petition period recall advertising become recall contributions.
+ Who can accept contributions? Who can incur recall expenses?
Only the registered financial agent or an assistant financial agent for either the proponent or the MLA is authorized to collect recall contributions and incur recall expenses.
+ How much can the proponent and MLA spend during a recall campaign?
The spending limits for the proponent and the Member are equal. The limits are based on the number of registered voters in the electoral district. Elections BC calculates the recall expenses limits, which are published in the BC Gazette and communicated to the proponent and the MLA at the start of the recall petition period.
+ Who can make a contribution to support or oppose the petition?
Only an individual who is a resident of B.C. and either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can make a contribution in relation to a recall petition. All organizations and individuals who reside outside of B.C. are prohibited from making contributions in relation to a recall petition. A contributor must provide written confirmation that they are eligible to make a contribution and consent to use the contribution in relation to a recall petition. An eligible individual must not contribute more than the annual limit.
+ I want to hold an event to raise money for a proponent’s recall campaign. Is this allowed?
Individuals and organizations are permitted to hold fundraising events to raise funds for recall participants in compliance with the rules under the
Recall and Initiative Act. Contributions can only be received from eligible individuals and must be less than the annual limit. Contributions are any funds that are raised at the event including donations, ticket sales and auctions. When forwarding contributions to the financial agent, the host of the event must provide the financial agent with all required information so that the contributions can be properly recorded and reported. This includes the full name and address of all eligible individuals who contributed. An event host cannot make an indirect contribution to a recall participant using the proceeds of an event. Making a contribution using the money, property or services of another individual or organization is prohibited. Where a fundraising event has a prominent attendee (i.e. a leader of a major political party, a parliamentary secretary or a member of the Executive Council), the event is a specified fundraising function. Any individual or organization that hosts a specified fundraising function must provide the event details to Elections BC at least seven days before the event and report on the total amount raised within 14 days after the event.
+ Are recall contributions eligible for income tax receipts?
No. Income tax receipts cannot be issued for recall contributions.
+ How must the petition be submitted?
The proponent can submit the petition to the Chief Electoral Officer by mail, courier or in person, but must meet the following rules:
- Submit all petition sheets at one time. No late submissions or partial submissions will be accepted.
- Submit only the original signed petition sheets. Photocopies and faxes of signed petition sheets will not be counted.
- Submit all of the original signed petition sheets, regardless of whether sufficient signatures have been collected.
+ What happens if a petition is submitted early?
The verification period begins as soon as a petition is submitted. If a proponent submits a petition before the end of the 60-day canvassing period, they cannot continue to collect and submit signatures.
+ How does the verification process work?
The Chief Electoral Officer has 42 days to complete the three-stage verification process:
- The first stage is a preliminary count of the petition sheets to confirm whether enough signatures have been obtained.
- The second stage ensures that the people who signed the petition were entitled to do so and that signatures were gathered by authorized canvassers.
- The third stage involves contacting a random sample of voters who signed the petition to ensure the validity of their signatures and to obtain a reliable estimate of the rate at which signatories confirm they signed the petition.
Incomplete or invalid signatures are screened out and are not included in the final count. If it becomes clear during any phase of verification that the count will not meet the 40% threshold, no further verification is done.
+ How are duplicate signatures dealt with?
Signing a recall petition more than once is specifically prohibited by law with penalties (on conviction) of a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years or both. Depending on the circumstances, Elections BC may move to investigate instances of multiple signing. Only an individual’s first signature on a petition will count.
+ Does the proponent or the MLA have any role in verification?
There is no provision in the
Recall and Initiative Act for observers or scrutineers. However, Elections BC allows both the proponent and the MLA to have two observers present during verification to ensure transparency of the process.
+ What happens if the petition has enough valid signatures and financing requirements have been met?
The MLA ceases to hold office, and their seat becomes vacant. The Chief Electoral Officer notifies the Member and the Speaker of the House as soon as possible. A writ for a by-election must be issued within 90 days after receipt of the warrant by the Chief Electoral Officer.
+ Can a recalled MLA run in the subsequent by-election?
Yes.
Toll-Free: 1-800-661-8683
TTY: 1-888-456-5448
electionsbc@elections.bc.ca
Toll-Free Fax: 1-866-466-0665s
