Tell us before the election

Recently there were some significant rule changes with how municipal elections are administered in B.C.

All of the changes seem reasonable, but most deal with spending limits and the amount for campaign contributions. Businesses and corporations are no longer allowed to donate directly to a candidate (although the business owner can.)

What needed to change is how financial contributions are declared.

At present, candidates have three months to declare all of their election expenses, which includes the names of all financial donors.

That’s something that voters should be told before the election. We, as voters, need to know who is backing each candidate, especially when there are contenious issues in the community.

And, it shouldn’t be difficult to do in today’s digital age.

The election is Oct. 20. The cutoff for all donations should be Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.. As cheques come in from specific donors, the name of the person and amount is posted on the candidate’s website. Easy peasy. Instead the public has to wait three months. If we find out on Jan. 20 that a candidate was backed by someone we don’t approve of, we can’t take our vote back.

We agree, this could influence how we vote in the next election ... but that’s now four years down the road, an eternity in politics. Most people will forget by then. It’s all online, but very few people have the internet skills required to do the research. Here’s what you can do. All-candidates forums are just around the corner. Candidates will be out in full force at the markets and special events. Some may knock on your door.

A question you may consider asking is, “What significant campaign contributions will you be receiving for your campaign?”

Don’t let them tell you the disclosure is coming Jan. 20.

If they won’t answer directly, they don’t deserve your vote.