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Illegal to prevent employees from signing petition

Dear editor, Sensible B.C. Is currently collecting signatures on a petition approved by Elections BC under the Recall and Initiative Act.

Dear editor,

Sensible B.C. Is currently collecting signatures on a petition approved by Elections BC under the Recall and Initiative Act.

The petition asks that there be a referendum on whether or not the B.C. Police Act should be changed to direct police not to waste their limited time and resources on arresting and prosecuting adults for simple possession of cannabis (I'm paraphrasing). To see the exact wording, go to the Sensible B.C. website.

However, several canvassers have been told by certain employees, particularly government employees, that they have been told by their bosses that they are not allowed to sign this petition.

If this is true, it is illegal! No one (including organizations) is allowed to do anything to intimidate anyone else into signing or not signing this petition.

The Canadian military is not allowed to tell their employees not to sign. VIHA cannot, directly or indirectly, make anyone sign or not sign the petition. The School Board, Corrections Canada nor anyone else is allowed to tell you whether or not to sign.

If they do, they should be reported to Elections BC, because it is an offence punishable by two years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.

For more information, see the Recall and Initiative Act, s. 156 in particular.

Carla Neal,

Courtenay