Bob Mackin
The David Eby-led NDP spent almost $13.5 million to cling to power in the 2024 provincial election.
Campaign financing returns, released Jan. 28 by Elections BC, show the NDP spent $4.15 million more than the Conservatives, who reported $9.34 million in expenses.
Elections BC sign (Mackin)
John Rustad’s party went from two seats to 44 in the space of a year, while Eby’s fell from 55 to 47.
The BC Green Party missed the Jan. 17 deadline. It must pay a $500 fine and file no later than Feb. 18.
The NDP reported $10.2 million income, including $7.66 million in donations.
The Conservatives reported $8.68 million income, including $6.13 million in donations.
Both qualified for partial reimbursement from taxpayers for campaign expenses: $2.54 million to the Conservatives and $2.2 million to the NDP.
Elections BC gave Rustad an extension to Feb. 18 “due to extenuating circumstances” for his Nechako Lakes riding campaign return. The Jan. 28-resigned Green leader Sonia Furstenau, who lost in Victoria-Beacon Hill, received an extension, but filed on Jan. 24.
The Hospital Employees’ Union was the biggest spender among registered third parties that filed on-time, at $470,401.04. Nearly all of that, $460,124.74, was spent before the election campaign period.
National Police Federation ($152,668.26), Canadian Labour Congress ($100,000) and TransLink Mayors’ Council ($68,421.48) completed the top four.
B.C. Nurses Union, B.C. Assembly of First Nations and Unifor missed the first deadline.
The champion for best return on investment among all participants in the 2024 election?
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his attention-grabbing (and vandal-targeted) sign outside his Point Grey Road mansion.
According to his third party spending return, Wilson shelled out the grand total of $1,650.70.
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