Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee is a BCNU committee which oversees the general and special elections of all BCNU elected officers. This includes members of the Provincial Executive Committee and members of the union’s 16 regional executives. 

BCNU is a democratic, member-run run organization. Its success depends on the full and engaged participation of the entire membership. Provincial and regional leaders are elected directly by members in province-wide elections held every three years, and in special byelections held between election years. These elections often involve campaigns that see candidates competing against each other for elected positions.

The Nominations Committee determines candidate eligibility, investigates member or candidate complaints received during a campaign or election period and makes decisions and recommendations for corrective action, all for the purpose of creating fair, inclusive and culturally safe election processes that are sensitive to the needs and concerns of all BCNU members.

Transparency is also critical to the democratic process. To ensure that elections are managed by BCNU members, all BCNU staff tasked with supporting the election process report directly to the Nominations Committee so that incumbent candidates cannot be perceived as directing staff or influencing the election process in their favour.

The committee consists of five members who have been elected by the delegates at an annual convention held the year preceding BCNU general province-wide elections.

Nominations Committee members elect a chair from amongst themselves.

The term is three years, starting Sept. 1 in the year preceding a BCNU general election.

Individual committee members work with others on the committee to conduct BCNU elections and assume responsibility for a fair and transparent election process.

Yes, a member of the committee can vote but shall NOT state a political preference or endorse in any way a candidate in any provincial or regional BCNU election.

No, the committee also supports special elections that occur during its mandate and between general elections.

The committee vets all nomination forms received prior to the start of an election campaign period and is solely responsible for determining the eligibility of all candidates for the Provincial Executive Committee and for regional council members.

The Nominations Committee is responsible for establishing rules and procedures concerning the filing, receipt, investigation, resolution, determination and remedying of any complaints from members regarding an election process, subject to the approval of Council. The committee communicates directly with members who have questions, complaints or concerns during the election campaign period. 

Staff who are appointed to assist the committee are not voting members of the committee and are directed in their work by the committee. The committee is assisted by staff when communicating with the broader membership (e.g., bulletins and statements). All-candidates forums and telephone town halls are moderated by the committee and organized by BCNU staff.

More information can be found in Article 5 of the BCNU Constitution and Bylaws, BCNU policies 5.4.6 and 5.4.7, and the Nominations Committee terms of reference.

Committee members should have an interest in fair, inclusive elections and value democracy and elected representation. Members would benefit from having a basic understanding of the functioning of BCNU’s elected structure and governance processes. Members must be able to maintain impartiality in all election matters. They should also have the time and energy to fulfill the work of the committee during the general election period, roughly three to six weeks once during the term, and be available to assist with special elections as needed. 

The election is conducted without any kind of campaigning. It is based solely on the biographical materials submitted to the Provincial Returning Officer. Members running for the positions on the Nominations Committee are expected to remain neutral and not organize any campaign or lobby on their own behalf. Any infraction may result in the candidate's removal from the ballot.

No. Candidates for the Nominations Committee cannot hold any BCNU office or full-time position above that of worksite steward.

Candidates are vetted by the Provincial Returning Officer, who ensures that members are in good standing and do not hold any prohibited positions within the BCNU.

An online voting process is conducted and administered by an independent third-party electronic-voting vendor selected by the Provincial Returning Officer. Members attending an annual convention will receive their voting credentials.