Article – As British Columbia’s spring legislative session unfolded last week, few residents noticed a seemingly minor amendment buried within omnibus legislation that has now triggered significant political fallout in communities across the province.
The change to the Community Charter prohibits municipal councillors from simultaneously serving as Members of the Legislative Assembly, forcing several elected officials to make difficult career choices in a matter of weeks.
“This wasn’t even flagged during consultation,” says Surrey Councillor Linda Annis, who expressed frustration over the lack of discussion before the provision became law. “Many of us learned about it through media reports after the fact.”
The amendment, which took effect immediately upon receiving royal assent on March 28, has already claimed its first political casualty. Harwinder Sandhu, who served as both Vernon city councillor and MLA for Vernon-Monashee, announced her resignation from council last Friday.
“While I’ve deeply valued serving my community in dual capacities, I respect the legislative change and will focus my full attention on provincial responsibilities,” Sandhu stated in her resignation letter. Her departure triggers a by-election that could cost Vernon taxpayers upwards of $80,000, according to city estimates.
The BC NDP government defends the change as promoting good governance and preventing conflicts of interest. Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang explained that the amendment “ensures elected officials can devote their full attention to the level of government where they’ve chosen to serve.”
Critics, however, question both the timing and implementation. The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) had previously advocated for restrictions on dual roles, but their 2019 position paper recommended implementing changes between election cycles to avoid disrupting existing governance structures.
“The abrupt timing creates unnecessary chaos,” notes political scientist Hamish Telford from the University of the Fraser Valley. “Effective legislation typically includes reasonable transition periods, especially when it impacts democratically elected positions.”
Several other elected officials now face the same choice as Sandhu. Jasmine Nicholsfigueiredo, who serves as both Langley councillor and MLA for Langley-Matsqui, must decide which position to retain before the end of April deadline established in the legislation.
“I’m consulting with both my constituents and my family,” Nicholsfigueiredo told reporters outside the legislature. “These are two distinct communities I care deeply about, and either choice means letting some voters down.”
The BC Liberal opposition has criticized the government’s approach, suggesting the amendment was strategically buried to minimize scrutiny. Opposition leader Kevin Falcon called it “another example of this government making significant changes without proper consultation or transparency.”
The financial implications extend beyond the personal career decisions of affected politicians. Municipalities facing by-elections must absorb costs that weren’t budgeted for this fiscal year. The City of Vernon estimates its upcoming by-election will require reallocating funds from other municipal services.
For smaller communities where council positions are often part-time with modest compensation, the prohibition may ultimately narrow the field of potential candidates. Municipal governance expert Royce Koop from the University of Manitoba points out that “serving in dual roles has historically provided a pathway for political engagement in smaller communities where the talent pool may be limited.”
Community reaction has been mixed. A snap poll conducted by Research Co. found that 54% of British Columbians support the prohibition on dual roles, while 28% believe elected officials should be allowed to serve at multiple levels if voters support them. The remaining respondents were undecided.
The practical implications of the legislative change highlight a broader tension in Canadian democracy about political representation. While conflict of interest concerns are legitimate, the amendment raises questions about voter autonomy and local democratic choice.
“Ultimately, shouldn’t voters decide whether someone can effectively serve in dual capacities?” asks Vernon resident Margaret Chen, who supported Sandhu in both municipal and provincial elections. “If performance suffers, we have electoral mechanisms to address that.”
For now, affected officials must make their decisions by April 30 or face automatic disqualification from their municipal positions. The government has indicated there will be no extensions or transition periods beyond what’s already established in the legislation.
As communities prepare for potential by-elections and the political landscape adjusts to this new reality, the episode serves as a reminder of how seemingly technical amendments can produce significant on-the-ground consequences for local governance across British Columbia.
