Running for Office

You are eligible to run for office in the Fort St. James General Local Election if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older on general voting day.
• Are a Canadian Citizen.
• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before filing your nomination papers (if submitting nomination papers on September 11, you must have lived in British Columbia since March 10, 2026). 
• Are not disqualified from being nominated, elected, or holding office under the Local Government Act, the Community Charter, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, or any other law.

You do not need to live in Fort St. James or own property in Fort St. James to run for local office.

You are not eligible to run if you:

• Are currently in custody after being convicted and sentenced for an indictable offence.
• Have been found guilty of an election offence (such as intimidation or vote-buying) and are prohibited from holding office.
• Are a judge of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, or Court of Appeal.
• Are involuntarily confined to a psychiatric facility or institution.
• Have been disqualified from office for reasons such as:
  • Failing to file a candidate disclosure statement in a previous election.
  • Failing to make the oath of office.
  • Failing to attend local government meetings as required.
• Are an employee or paid volunteer of the local government (or related local government, such as the regional district), unless you have taken a leave of absence to run and agree to resign if elected.
• Are a federal government employee, unless you have received permission from the Public Service Commission of Canada to run for office.

Individuals wishing to run for local office must submit their nomination documents during the official Nomination Period. Late submissions (after 4:00 p.m., September 11) will not be accepted.

Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, mail, courier, fax, or email. 

Campaign Financing

Campaign financing rules for local elections are set by provincial legislation and administered by Elections BC. These rules include:

• who can contribute to a campaign
• spending limits for candidates and third-party sponsors
• rules for election advertising
• public financial disclosure requirements

All candidates, elector organizations, and third-party sponsors must follow these requirements. For complete information, please visit the Elections BC website.

Third-Party Sponsors

A third-party sponsor is a person or organization that conducts election advertising independently from any candidate or elector organization.

Third-party sponsors must register with Elections BC and must report their campaign financing as required under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

For more information about campaign financing and advertising rules, visit the Elections BC website.

Candidate Nomination Forms

Nomination Packages will be available for download here or in-person pickup from the District Office (477 Stuart Drive West) beginning August 4, 2026.

Candidate Resources

• Local Elections Campaign Financing Act
• Local Elections Campaign Financing Expense Limits Regulation 281/2021
• Local Government Act
• Community Charter
• District of Fort St. James Elections Bylaw No. 1051, 2022
• Elections Amendment Bylaw No. 1104, 2026
• Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 1080, 2025
• Sign Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 1082, 2025
• Council Procedures Bylaw

Websites

The content below is provided for information only and belongs to the organization identified in the square brackets.