Information for Candidates

Content

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 are available online [PDF, 2.7MB] for candidates interested in running for Mayor, Councillor or School Trustee. Copies are also available at Municipal Hall. Access to nomination documents will be provided on the District of Maple Ridge website..

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 pm. View the current 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. View the Mayor and Council page for more information on Council.

Access to Campaign Financing Documents

Campaign financing documents will be available on the District of Maple Ridge website for one year 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 Candidates' Guide to Local Elections in BC (Note: to be updated by the Provincial Government) as well as in a Candidates' Information Presentation provided to interested parties by the District of Maple Ridge.

Governance of Meetings

View the Maple Ridge Council Procedure Bylaw.