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Canvassers collecting signatures to recall Dalton

Registered canvassers can begin collecting signatures on April 15 when the petition is issued.
Liberal candidate Marc Dalton applaudes as results come in.
The application for a petition to recall Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton has been approved and canvassers will start collecting signatures.

An application for a petition to recall Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton has been approved in principle by B.C.’s chief electoral officer.

Registered canvassers can begin collecting signatures on April 15 when the petition is issued.

There were 38,523 registered voters in the riding in the last provincial election, and canvassers must collect at least 15,410 valid signature on the petition in order for the recall to be successful.

Canvassers have 60 days to complete the task.

“The petition must be returned to this office no later than June 15, 2015,” said Keith Archer, chief electoral officer.

B.C. Elections has 42 days from the date the petition is submitted to verify the signatures and the chief electoral officer cannot determine the success of the petition until the proponent’s financial report are reviewed.

The expense limit for recall proponent Yvonne Hale and for Dalton is close to $37,365.

If the recall petition is successful, Dalton’s seat will become vacant and a by-election will be called within 90 days.

In a letter to Elections B.C., Hale said she believes Dalton, a former provincial Liberal, is not representing his constituents well and criticized his recent decision to sit as an independent while making a run for the federal Conservative nomination as a Member of Parliament.

This is the second recall campaign Dalton has faced.

Last month Dalton told Black Press, “I’m focused on doing my job as an MLA and serving my constituents.”