Cabinet has given the green light to move forward with implementing the 31 Local Government Elections Task Force recommendations for improving local elections, announced Minister of Community and Rural Development Ben Stewart.

"The Province is now in a position to proceed with drafting the legislation necessary to implement the recommendations," said Stewart.

"We expect the legislation to be introduced next spring, in time for the local elections in November 2011. There is a lot of hard work ahead to flesh out the details of the recommendations, such as how to establish expense limits that will work in B.C.'s diverse communities, but we're confident the end result will have a positive impact on the elections process."

"UBCM's task force representatives relied heavily on the local election policies that have been endorsed by our membership in recent years," said UBCM president Harry Nyce.

"We look forward to discussing the task force report with our members during a special policy session at our annual convention in September."

Premier Gordon Campbell announced the joint provincial-UBCM Local Government Elections Task Force at the 2009 Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention.

In a final report submitted on May 28, 2010, the task force outlined 31 recommendations for improving local government elections by ensuring accountability, enhancing transparency, strengthening compliance and enforcement, increasing accessibility, and expanding education and advice.

To read the full report, go to www.localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca.