Social Media & Elections
True or False: BC Public Service employees can post on social media during election periods?
True: BC Public Service employees must operate in a non-partisan and highly professional manner, per the Standards of Conduct, Oath of Employment, the Elections Act, and Social Media Guidelines for BC Public Service Employees.
What is the voting age in BC?
18.
True or False: Policy decisions can be announced during the election period?
False: Forward planning should take place to ensure major policy changes or decisions are handled well before the election, or deferred until the incoming government has transitioned in.
What does Interregnum mean in an election?
The gap between governments when the Legislative Assembly is dissolved and the incoming government is established. The current government is in "caretaker mode", avoiding any major decisions or changes that would bind the next government.
True or False: The social media comment "The policy on decriminalization of drug use is beneficial/detrimental" is non-partisan because it does not specify a government party?
False: The statement would be referring to the current government, the NDP. True non-partisan statements are not connected to any political party. Avoid policy posts as they contravene the Elections Act.
How many years are there typically between Provincial elections in BC?
4
True or False: The Minister abstains from signing any correspondence during the election period?
True: While normal correspondence continues, the Minister does not sign anything.
True or False: New contracts cannot be signed during the Interregnum period?
True: No new contracts are to be signed during the election period. Routine contracts and rollovers can still be entered into, and routine decisions made.
True or False: BC Government internet/social media platforms/advertising should "go silent" during election periods?
True: Starting on July 23, 60 days before campaign period, nothing that could be perceived as partisan can be posted. Statutory advertising and internet and social media activity relating to public health and safety are the exception (i.e. Drought/Wildfires).
True or False: Provincial employees have always had the right to vote?
False: Provincial employees first gained the right to vote in 1900.
True or False: All FOI requests are deferred to the end of the election period?
False: During election period, government employees must still respond to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) requests.
When is Writ Day and the start of Interregnum in BC for 2024?
September 21, 2024
Under what conditions can BC Public Service employees engage in political discussions online?
From PSA: Do not identify as a public service employee if engaging in public dialogue about political topics, campaigning for a political party, or signing petitions.
Review any work-related content to ensure non-partisan views. No writing comments/posts that criticize government policy or direction.
What year did prisoners gain the right to vote in BC?
2003.
True or False: Hiring of regular included BC Public Service employees is frozen during the election period?
False: Routine hiring of regular included employees can continue whether you are mid-competition at the point the writs are issued or need to fill a new or vacant position.
How are non-cabinet government records managed during Interregnum?
Offices manage non-cabinet government records in accordance with legislation and policy, just as they are required to do at all other times.
What is allowable to update or post on BC Government websites during election period?
No new websites or web pages should go live during the election period. Updating web content is restricted to fixing spelling errors or correcting information already posted.
What year was the first BC election held?
1871.
What is the duration of leave that a BC Public Service employee can take to participate and run in an election?
Employees seeking election in a municipal, Indigenous, community government, provincial or federal election must submit a written request and obtain their deputy minister’s approval.
Leave without pay can be granted for up to 90 days. If elected, leave without pay is available for a maximum of five years.
When does the new Cabinet form after the election?
There is no time limit for forming the new Executive Council, but the expectation is it forms without unnecessary delay, so it happens quickly following the election. Correspondences are limited until this is completed.