National

12 B.C. municipal parties under investigation for finance or advertising violations

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Apr, 2024 04:05 PM

A dozen municipal political parties in British Columbia, including those that won council majorities in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2022, are under investigation by Elections BC for possible financing or advertising violations.

Elections BC said in a news release that the potential violations relate to accepting prohibited contributions, failing to deal with such contributions, or sponsoring election advertisements without an authorization statement.

It said the parties under investigation include Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim's ABC Vancouver and the Burnaby Citizen's Association, both of which won council majorities.

ABC Vancouver said in a statement Thursday that it's aware of the investigation and will co-operate with Elections BC "to bring this matter to a quick resolution."

"ABC is fully committed to upholding the highest standard of integrity and has always acted out of an abundance of caution in order to ensure compliance with election law," it said.

Contract With Langley, the party whose slate won the mayor's office and a council majority in Langley Township, is also being investigated.

Elections BC said no contraventions have been confirmed and all parties have been co-operative.

It said rules governing local elections restrict contribution to citizens or permanent residents who live in B.C., ban donations from organizations and limit an individual's contributions to $1,250 per campaign.

Violations are subject to administrative and monetary penalties.

Vancouver parties under investigation also include Vision Vancouver, the Civic Non-Partisan Association, Forward Together, and Progress Vancouver.

Others parties named in the probe are the Safe Surrey Coalition, Surrey First, and United Surrey, as well as the Richmond Community Coalition and Kelowna's Spirit Alliance.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Here's what Canada is pledging in multi-year support for Ukraine, updated trade deal

The two countries have also signed a modernized trade deal as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the country for the first time since Russia's full-scale assault of Ukraine began last year. The multi-year commitment includes $650 million over three years for 50 armoured vehicles that are to be built in London, Ont.

Here's what Canada is pledging in multi-year support for Ukraine, updated trade deal

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

British Columbia Premier David Eby says there's been a critical incident involving RCMP in the Metro Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam. A witness on the scene says she saw an officer with a bloody leg and a tourniquet above the wound.

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

The White House is pushing back against reports that Canada-U.S. relations are straining under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's seismic allegation that the government of India was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the U.S. shares Canada's "deep concerns" and denies any suggestion of a wedge between the two countries.

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia

Much of British Columbia will welcome the first week of fall with wet, cool conditions after enduring a summer of drought. Autumn officially begins at 11:50 p.m. Pacific time on Friday and Environment Canada forecasts show clouds and showers are expected to sweep across the south coast within hours of the autumnal equinox.

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia

Woman assaulted in Coquitlam

R-C-M-P in Coquitlam say a man has been charged following an attack on a woman walking along a popular urban trail in that Metro Vancouver city. Police say a 32-year-old man was charged with separate counts of assault with a weapon and assault by choking related to the September 7th attack.

Woman assaulted in Coquitlam

B.C. First Nation research finds 158 child deaths at four facilities

An investigation into unmarked graves and missing children by British Columbia’s Sto:lo Nation has revealed at least 158 deaths, most of them at a hospital. Researchers with the nation say archival documents from three residential schools and a First Nation hospital show most of the children reportedly died of disease, some of accidents, while other causes of death are unknown.