About

A campaign for accountability in North Vancouver–Lonsdale

The Recall Bowinn Ma Campaign is an independent, citizen-led initiative focused on accountability, representation and the decisions affecting residents of North Vancouver–Lonsdale.

We believe that elected representatives have a responsibility to listen to their constituents, explain their decisions and represent the interests of the communities they serve. When residents have serious concerns about an MLA’s record, they should have opportunities to raise those concerns, examine the facts and participate in the democratic process.

Our campaign is being organized to bring these concerns into public discussion and prepare for the possibility of a formal recall petition under British Columbia law.

WHY RECALL?

Accountability between elections

In a representative democracy, elections give voters the opportunity to choose their representatives. However, accountability should not end on election day.

Residents should be able to ask questions about government decisions, evaluate an MLA’s performance and express concerns when they believe their community’s interests are not being adequately represented.

The recall process provides a legal mechanism through which eligible voters can seek to remove a Member of the Legislative Assembly before the next provincial election. It is an important democratic option, although it has specific legal requirements and does not guarantee a particular outcome.

Our campaign believes that the people of North Vancouver–Lonsdale deserve an open discussion about their representative’s record and the issues that matter to the riding.

Issues affecting our community

North Vancouver–Lonsdale faces a range of important challenges and public-policy questions. These include housing affordability, transportation and congestion, infrastructure, public services, and the impact of provincial decisions on local communities.

These issues deserve serious attention, clear explanations and meaningful engagement with residents.

Our campaign aims to examine relevant government decisions, communicate residents’ concerns and encourage informed discussion about whether the current representation of North Vancouver–Lonsdale meets the expectations of its constituents.

We encourage people to consider the available evidence, review public records and form their own conclusions. Specific claims about policies, decisions and their effects should be supported by reliable sources and examined on their merits.

What is a recall?

Recall is a process established under British Columbia’s Recall and Initiative Act. It allows a registered voter in an electoral district to apply to Elections BC for a petition seeking the removal of the MLA representing that district.

The process is administered by Elections BC, an independent, non-partisan electoral authority. Elections BC administers the statutory requirements; it does not take a position for or against a recall campaign.

A recall is different from a general election. Instead of waiting until the next scheduled provincial election, an eligible voter may apply to begin the formal process once the legal timing requirements have been met.

A recall petition must follow the official procedures. Support expressed through an informal online poll, an unofficial petition or a website form does not count as a signature on an official recall petition.

How does the recall process work?

1. Preparing the application

An eligible registered voter in the electoral district must act as the recall petition proponent. The proponent submits the required application and supporting documents to Elections BC, including a statement of no more than 200 words explaining why they believe the MLA should be recalled.

The application must meet the legal requirements before Elections BC can approve it.

2. Approval and issuance of the official petition

If Elections BC determines that the application meets the statutory requirements, it proceeds with approval and issuance of the official recall petition.

The existence of a campaign, the publication of a website or the collection of expressions of interest does not itself mean that an official petition has been issued.

3. Collecting eligible signatures

Once the official petition has been issued, the proponent has 60 days to collect signatures and submit the petition sheets to Elections BC.

Only eligible voters may sign. Generally, a person must be currently registered to vote in British Columbia and must have been registered in the relevant electoral district when the MLA was elected.

Only properly registered canvassers may collect signatures for the official petition. The rules governing who can sign, how signatures must be collected and how petition sheets must be completed are important to the validity of the process.

4. Verification by Elections BC

After the petition sheets are submitted, Elections BC verifies whether the signatures meet the legal requirements. Elections BC has 42 days to complete its determination.

Under the legislation, the petition must receive signatures from more than 40% of the eligible voters counted for the petition threshold. The precise threshold is determined under the applicable law and Elections BC’s official figures.

5. The result

If Elections BC determines that the petition has met the required signature threshold and the applicable legal and financial requirements, the MLA ceases to hold office and the seat becomes vacant. A by-election is then held to fill the vacancy.

If the petition does not meet the requirements, the recall is unsuccessful and the MLA retains their seat.

For the latest official details, consult Elections BC’s Recall information and Recall Petition Process.

What is our campaign doing now?

The Recall Bowinn Ma Campaign is focused on preparation, research, public information and volunteer organization.

Our current priorities include:

• Research and documentation: Reviewing public records, government decisions and issues relevant to North Vancouver–Lonsdale.

• Public information: Explaining the purpose of recall and providing residents with reliable information about the process.

• Volunteer organization: Building a network of people interested in contributing time and skills to campaign preparation.

• Communications: Developing clear, professional materials that explain the campaign’s concerns and objectives.

• Community engagement: Encouraging respectful discussion and listening to the questions and concerns of residents.

• Future planning: Preparing organizational systems so that the campaign can respond responsibly to the next stage of the process.

We want to build an organization that is prepared, transparent and capable of communicating clearly with the public.