FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2015
VICTORIA – Chief Electoral Officer Keith Archer today approved in principle an application for a petition to recall Marc Dalton, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Maple Ridge-Mission. The proponent of the recall is Yvonne Hale.
“The petition will be issued on April 15, 2015, and at that time, registered canvassers may begin collecting signatures,” said Archer. “The petition must be returned to this office no later than June 15, 2015.”
In Maple Ridge-Mission, there were 38,523 registered voters on May 14, 2013. Registered canvassers will have 60 days to collect 15,410 or more valid signatures on the recall petition. The expenses limit for the proponent and the Member is $37,365.92.
Elections BC has 42 days from the date the petition is submitted to verify that those who signed the petition were eligible to do so. The Chief Electoral Officer cannot determine whether or not the petition is successful until the proponent’s financial report is reviewed and it is determined that the proponent did not exceed the expenses limit. The financial report must be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer within 28 days of the end of the recall petition period.
In the event of a successful recall petition, the recalled Member’s seat becomes vacant and a by-election must be called within 90 days. The recalled Member can run as a candidate in the by-election.
Proponent’s opinion of why recall of the Member is warranted:
Please accept this letter as application for a recall petition for Marc Dalton, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Maple Ridge-Mission. I do not believe that former BC Liberal Mr. Dalton works to represent his constituents and his recent announcement to sit as an Independent while he runs for nomination as Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party bears this out. It is my feeling that Mr. Dalton has turned his back on his constituents, while seeking to achieve his own self-interest and agenda of gaining a federal position. Mr. Dalton should resign his MLA position if he wishes to run federally. He should also spend his time working for his constituents instead of for his career as a politician. We have many issues that he does not seem to bother to tackle. Some examples are our under-funded, short-staffed hospital, our closed youth center, sinking homes and so many more. Maple Ridge-Mission voters deserve honesty and accountability from elected representatives. It is time to elect someone who will work for us, not themselves.
NOTE: Elections BC has not altered the wording of this statement in any way.
For more information, visit Elections BC’s website at http://www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/referendum-plebiscite-recall-initiative/recall/rp-mrm-2015-001/
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Attachments: Fast Facts – Recall
Contact:
Don Main
Communications Manager
Elections BC
Phone: 250-387-1709
Email: Don.Main@elections.bc.ca
Website: www.elections.bc.ca
Elections BC is an independent, non-partisan Office of the Legislature responsible for administering electoral processes in B.C. in accordance with the Election Act, Recall and Initiative Act, Referendum Act and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
Fast Facts – Recall