CONCURRENT DATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Released on May 30, 1997

Education Minister Pat Atkinson, Municipal Government Minister Carol

Teichrob and Health Minister Eric Cline today jointly announced that

local government elections for urban municipalities, school boards and

health boards will be held concurrently on Wednesday, October 22,

1997. Elections for rural municipal councils will not be affected and

will take place as planned in November.



"The decision to hold elections on the same day has been under

consideration for some time," Atkinson said. "This will mark the

first time that most local authorities will hold their elections on

the same day. Current election processes will not change."



As a result, urban municipalities and school boards will conduct their

elections in accordance with The Local Government Election Act while

district health boards in even-numbered wards only, will hold their

elections in accordance with The District Health Board Election

Regulations. No health board elections will take place in the

Lloydminster Health District or the newly-formed northern health

districts.



"The success of the concurrent election date will be assured with

local co-operation," Teichrob said. "Local election

administrators will be encouraged to share polling facilities and

supplies and, whenever possible, to cross-appoint election

officials. We trust this will result in a more efficient and

democratic election process for voters and in reduced costs for

local governments."



"A common election day will make it more convenient for voters to

cast their ballots," Cline said. "Although there are differences

in ward boundaries, I am confident that health districts will

work with the other jurisdictions to ensure a smooth, seamless

process."



Over the past few weeks a working group of government officials

has reviewed the implications on the electoral system and local

election administration and has recommended that the government

proceed with concurrent elections in close consultation with

local officials.



To oversee the efficient operation of these elections, the

government has appointed Dickson Bailey as the provincial

co-ordinator of the Local Government Election Office within the

Electoral Office. Once the elections are over, he will undertake

a review of the local election processes and make recommendations

for further improvements for future local elections.



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For more information, contact:



Dickson Bailey

Executive Council

Regina Phone: (306) 787-4048