The BC government will introduce legislation to change local elections from a three-year to a four-year cycle beginning with the 2014 elections.

The next BC local elections after Nov. 2014 will be in Oct. 2018.

Oakes says four-year terms will give local governments more time to consult, plan and achieve community goals – and also help to manage election costs.

All other Canadian provinces hold local government elections every four years.

Extending the term of office will apply to BC’s mayors and all elected officials serving municipalities, regional districts, parks boards, school boards and the Islands Trust. Moving to four-year terms was recommended by the Local Government Elections’ Task Force.

The move to four-year terms is part of a package of local election reforms planned for the current legislative session.

The changes will modernize election campaign financing rules ahead of the 2014 local elections.