Residency Requirements for Business Owners
Year: 2020
Resolution
Whereas it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sufficient candidates to run for municipal council; and
Whereas The Local Government Elections Act, 2015 currently requires residency for candidates running in urban municipalities, but not in rural municipalities; and
Whereas local business owners may not live in a municipality, but they are directly affected by many council decisions, including those around taxation and utilities; and
Whereas many local business owners would be great representatives on council;
Therefore be it resolved that the SUMA advocate the Ministry of Government Relations to amend The Local Government Election Act, 2015 to allow business owners that operate or own commercial businesses within urban municipalities to run for municipal council.
ACTS AFFECTED: The Local Government Election Act, 2015 REGION/SECTOR AFFECTED: ALL 2020-020
