Election-Proofing Your Business: What You Need to Know About B.C.'s Political Laws

This in-person seminar will provide clients and prospective clients with an overview of lobbying, election and campaign finance laws in British Columbia, in advance of the upcoming provincial general election.

It will explain the myriad of rules that apply to businesses during the campaign period (scheduled to begin on September 22, 2024), in addition to the rules that apply during the pre-campaign period (scheduled to begin on July 23, 2024).The seminar will (i) explain the legal rules that apply to businesses, including common legal pitfalls, (ii) offer tips on how businesses can limit legal, reputational and political risks during the election and (iii) explain how businesses can mount a successful due diligence defence in the event of inadvertent non-compliance. Some of the topics that will be explored include:

• The risks associated with conducting issue-based advertising, including when issue-based advertising is regulated under the third-party sponsor rules;
• The risks associated with employees, officers or directors running as candidates or campaigning for candidates (including when unpaid leaves of absence are required);
• The risks associated with employees, officers or directors using company property (including company email accounts, mobile devices and real estate) for campaign-related purposes;
• The risks associated with employees, officers or directors knowingly or recklessly making false statements or misrepresentations about candidates, leaders or parties; and
• The risks associated with employees, officers or directors lobbying certain candidates, including Ministers, who remain “public office holders” throughout the campaign period.

In addition to explaining these topics, the seminar will also explain when businesses can be legally liable for the actions or omissions of their agents, including third-party government relations firms, consulting firms and public relations firms.  Specific attention will be paid to section 253 of the British Columbia Election Act, which provides, in part, that “[a]n act or thing done or omitted by an officer, director, employee or agent of an organization within the scope of the individual's authority to act on behalf of the organization is deemed to be an act or thing done or omitted by the organization”.

Recommended For

• Lobbyists
• In-House Counsel
• Government Relations Consultants
• Public Affairs Professionals
• Business Executives
• Salespeople

Agenda

• 09:00 AM | Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 09:30 AM | Presentation
• 11:30 AM | Questions & Answers
• 12:00 PM | Conclusion