Elections BC Investigates Multiple Civic Parties Over Campaign Finances

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party is under investigation by Elections BC, along with 10 other civic parties in Metro Vancouver. These investigations focus on potential violations of campaign finance laws. Stewart Prest, a UBC political science lecturer, suggests that changes in campaign finance rules are leading to increased scrutiny and possible penalties. However, he also notes that some parties may still be learning how to navigate the new regulations.

ABC Vancouver has been in the spotlight for allegedly accepting prohibited donations during the 2022 municipal election. Elections BC does not disclose details of active investigations but has confirmed inquiries into parties like Vision Vancouver, Progress Vancouver, and Forward Together. In Surrey, Safe Surrey Coalition, Surrey Connect, and others are also being examined. Burnaby, Richmond, and Kelowna have civic parties facing similar scrutiny.

Prest describes the situation as a “cat and mouse” game between political parties and Elections BC. Campaign finance rules have shifted from a big-donor model to smaller contributions, with ABC Vancouver proving effective in gathering such donations. However, to ensure fairness, scrutiny is necessary to prevent rule violations. ABC Vancouver has already repaid $116,000 in allegedly improper donations from the 2022 campaign.

Elections BC considers various factors when determining penalties, including the severity of the violation and cooperation during the investigation. Fines in resolved cases have ranged from a few hundred dollars to nearly $3,000. Prest suggests that stricter penalties might be needed to deter violations. He emphasizes that maintaining a fair electoral process is crucial to ensuring money does not unfairly influence election outcomes.