Victoria/Abbotsford – After last falls Provincial Election, Abbotsford School Trustee Korky Neufeld, who became MLA for Abbotsford West, was one of two Provincial trustees who said he would keep both jobs. Obvious howls of double dipping erupted.
The Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act passed third reading on Tuesday May 27 and is expected to receive royal assent this week.
Neufeld will be forced to step away from Abbotsford School Board and that will trigger a by-election. The other is Langley-Aldergrove MLA Misty Van Popta. Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs stepped away shortly after the October vote.
Neufeld initially claimed that by keeping both jobs, he was saving money from the public purse. He calls the new rule an “overreach”.
Board Chair Shirley Wilson is concerned that there will be a cost to taxpayers and the board, who are struggling to balance the books.
Im an email to FVN:
The Abbotsford Board of Education has been closely monitoring the developments surrounding Bill M202 and the Province’s recent efforts to expedite its passage. We are concerned about the financial implications this legislation will have on our district, particularly in a year where boards across British Columbia are facing unprecedented budget challenges. Should this Bill proceed, it would compel our district to hold a by-election at an estimated cost of $300,000. We believe these public funds would be better invested directly in students and classrooms. This is a significant expense for a seat that would be in place for little more than one year before the next scheduled municipal election in 2026. If passed, this legislation would require Trustee Neufeld to step down from our Board immediately. Since his election to the Legislature, he has remained a committed and engaged Trustee, continuing to serve our district with dedication. His departure would be a significant loss to our Board and to the students and families we serve. Shirley Wilson Chair, Abbotsford Board of Education.
The next municipal election is slated for 2026.
From the Provincial website, this is what the bill looks like:
Definition
1 In this Act, “local elected office” means
(a) the office of
(i) a mayor or councillor of a municipality, within the meaning of the Local Government Act,
(ii) an electoral area director of a regional district, within the meaning of the Local Government Act,
(iii) a member of the park board, within the meaning of the Vancouver Charter,
(iv) a school trustee, within the meaning of the School Act, or
(v) a local trust area trustee, within the meaning of the Islands Trust Act, or
(b) any other prescribed elected public office.
Disqualification
2 (1) A person who is a member of the Legislative Assembly is disqualified from holding a local elected office.
(2) For certainty, any holder of a local elected office who is disqualified under subsection (1) is deemed to have resigned that office as of the date of disqualification.
Regulations
3 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations referred to in section 41 of the Interpretation Act.
Commencement
4 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.
Explanatory Note
This Bill provides that a person who is a member of the Legislative Assembly is disqualified from holding a local elected office.
