What you need to know about the upcoming election
In case you missed it, we are facing another election. Candidates across the province are stumping for your vote in a bid to win the mayor’s chair, a spot on council in their community or a seat on the local Board of Education. We will know the outcome of their efforts on Election Day, which is November 15th.
While every British Columbian who meets the requirements of the Elections Act is entitled to vote, Vancouver Coastal Health (like all health authorities) has some guidelines and criteria around election campaigning within our facilities. This ensures we balance the well-being of our patients and clients while placing reasonable limits on campaigning and other activities.
1) Candidates are not permitted to campaign directly to patients or staff in VCH facilities, with the possible exception of residential care sites (see point #3, below) or other approved sites. The general rule is that media events, photo-ops and interviews with candidates do not take place within our buildings, although they can take place in public areas outside our facilities (i.e. sidewalks or public parks) as long as site access is not restricted.
2) Election campaign materials are not permitted to be posted or distributed in our facilities. However, political materials may be placed on union and non-VCH notice boards as long as they meet the posting criteria for such information points.
3) Campaigning in residential care facilities (sites where people reside on a long-term basis) may be permitted at the invitation and with approval from the resident’s council of that site. In such cases, all candidates in that municipality or city would be invited to speak to residents. Requests for candidate access should be referred to the site manager who will then provide a link to the Resident Council representative.
From time to time, a candidate seeking information about an aspect of health care may contact a VCH staff member. If this happens, please contact Clive Camm at clive.camm@vch.ca, who will assist you with the request. Likewise, please contact him if you have any questions about political campaigning at VCH facilities.
VCH encourages everyone to exercise their right to vote on November 15th. However, these guidelines are in place to protect the privacy, confidentiality and well-being of our patients, clients and residents and to ensure equity during the political campaign.