General local elections in BC are held every four years on the third Saturday in October, and include elections for municipal councils, regional district electoral areas, boards of education, specified parks boards, local community commissions and the Islands Trust.

The next general local elections will be held this year on October 15, 2022.

“Literacy matters for political involvement. Canadians with higher skills are more likely to feel they can influence government.” – Literacy Matters Factsheet

The campaign period for this election begins Saturday, September 17th. This is a great time to help prepare your learners to participate in their local democracy. Helping those with low literacy understand the election process, as well as who and what they are voting for, ensures that their voices are heard and their votes are counted.

Studies from the United States indicate that as literacy levels decrease, so does voter turnout. Although literacy level may just be one factor as to whether a person votes or not, it is important to ensure everyone has the knowledge and empowerment to exercise their rights as citizens.

“For people who struggle to read, the electoral process can become its own form of literacy test — creating impenetrable barriers at every step, from registration to casting a ballot.” – Annie Waldman and Aliyya Swaby

The video below outlines local elections in BC. A transcript is included with the video.

To learn more about local elections in BC, and discover resources to help learners, check out the list below. Be sure to also check with your local public library, newspapers and municipal websites for more information and resources specific to your area.

Resources

• BC Municipal Election Candidates 2022
• Canadian government
• Citizenship and government
• Civic Literacy Resources
• Election Signs – Easy Lessons for Elementary
• Elections BC’s Educational Resources
• General Local Elections 101
• Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in BC (available in multiple languages) and Voter’s Guide for Electors Living On-Reserve