Frequently asked initiative questions for business owners
Definitions: (from Guide to the Initiative Process (869))
| Advertising: | Advertising is any public promotional material including, but not limited to leaflets, lawn signs, billboards, brochures, buttons, badges, websites, newspapers, radio, television, newsletters and public address systems. |
| Initiative advertising: | Advertising used during an initiative petition period to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the initiative petition or draft Bill, or during an initiative vote period to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, an initiative. |
| Canvasser: | A registered voter who assists a proponent by canvassing for signatures on an initiative petition. Canvassers must be registered with the Chief Electoral Officer prior to canvassing for signatures, and must not accept any pay or other inducement for canvassing. |
| Sponsor: | A sponsor is an individual or organization who pays for initiative advertising to be conducted or who has initiative advertising conducted on their behalf, or who receives the services of conducting initiative advertising without charge as a contribution. Other than a proponent or opponent, a sponsor of initiative advertising must be registered with the Chief Electoral Officer.
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FAQs
1. Can I leave petition sheets on the 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.
2. Can I put up signs supporting or opposing the petition?
Yes. If you support the petition and have received signs from the proponent of the petition you can display the signs. If you want to make signs supporting or opposing the petition, you must register as an advertising sponsor with Elections BC. All signs must have the authorization statement of a registered advertising sponsor or the proponent’s financial agent.
Examples of authorization statements:
- Authorized by Jane Doe, financial agent, (250) 123-4567
- Authorized by Big Company, registered sponsor under the Recall and Initiative Act, (250) 123-4567
- Authorized by Small Partnership, John Smith, registered sponsor under the Recall and Initiative Act, (250) 123-4567.
3. Can I place advertising in my local paper/TV supporting or opposing the petition?
Yes. You must register as an advertising sponsor with Elections BC before doing any advertising. Any advertisement must display the authorization statement.
4. Can I add supporting or opposing notices on my store/business website?
Yes. You must register as an advertising sponsor with Elections BC before doing any advertising. All notices must display the authorization statement.
5. As a business owner, can I canvass at my work place?
Yes, as long as you have registered with the proponent and Elections BC as a canvasser.
6. Can my employee canvass at my work place while doing their regular job?
No. By law, canvassers must be volunteers. Any canvassing while performing a regular job or duties would be considered as being paid for canvassing, or collecting an inducement for canvassing. This is prohibited by s. 6(3) of the Recall and Initiative Act. The employee, if registered as a canvasser with the proponent and Elections BC, can canvass at the work place, but must do so on their own time.
7. Can I pay my employee to canvass my customers?
No. Paying an employee to canvass while performing their regular job would be considered an inducement. This also includes compensation in the form of extra vacation or leave.
8. Can I collect money to support the petition?
Only if you are registered as a assistant financial agent.
9. Can I make a donation to support the petition?
Yes. Donations can be accepted by the financial agent or any assistant financial agent registered with the proponent of the petition.
10. Do I have to allow canvassers in to my business?
No. The Recall and Initiative Act does not require a landlord or owner to provide access to canvassers. It is your choice whether to allow access.
11. Can canvassers demand access to malls and recreation centres, etc., to collect signatures?
No. The Recall and Initiative Act does not require a landlord or owner to provide access to canvassers. Permission must be obtained from the property owner or manager.
See links:
Frequently Asked Initiative Petition Questions
Guide to the Initiative process (869)
Initiative Petition Canvasser Guide (936)
Media Obligations for Initiative Petition and Votes (864)
Guide to Initiative Communications (893)
Initiative Petition Advertising Sponsor forms
Initiative Petition Application for Canvasser Registration (911)
Appointment of Assistant financial agent (950)
