National

Elections BC bans Mark Marissen and municipal party over financing breach

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Jul, 2023 02:19 PM

Elections BC has banned longtime political organizer Mark Marissen from running in local elections for three years after it deregistered his Progress Vancouver party for breaking campaign finance rules.

A news release from the elections body says the party and six of its eight candidates in last year's municipal vote failed to meet the filing deadline for finance reports in January this year.

Elections BC says they filed a month later to meet a late filing deadline, but their reports didn't meet legislated requirements, and all eight candidates are now barred until after the 2026 elections.

The agency says the party's campaign finance report also disclosed violations, including an improper $50,000 loan and prohibited donations.

Elections BC says it told the party in March that its filings were deficient, but Progress Vancouver failed to correct them, and an investigation of its finances has now been opened.

Marissen, who is the ex-husband of former premier Christy Clark, led the party and ran for mayor in Vancouver but finished a distant fourth with 3.4 per cent of the vote, while none of Progress Vancouver's other candidates were elected.

Neither Marissen nor a party spokesperson immediately responded to requests for comment.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., probe theft of German shepherd puppies

Police say the theft occurred around 3 a.m. Monday morning. Since then, five of the eight-week-old puppies have been recovered, but police say the rest are still missing.

Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., probe theft of German shepherd puppies

Rental protection for BC residents

The British Columbia government says its 500-million-dollar rental-protection fund will help renters stay in their homes and keep their rents affordable. The province has opened access to the fund that will help non-profit groups purchase rental buildings.

Rental protection for BC residents

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

The Liberals promised a stand-alone dental insurance plan for low- and middle-income Canadians who don't have private insurance as part of its supply and confidence deal with the NDP last year.

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

The Canadian government on Tuesday introduced a public policy that will be beneficial for immigrants, including those from India, to boost their career, job prospects, and chances of permanent residency.

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $625 million of funding to help provinces and territories build child-care infrastructure. Trudeau says the money will be rolled out over four years and will help providers renovate, retrofit and build new not-for-profit and public child-care facilities.

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

In a survey of 1,512 Canadian adults, Leger found that only 23 per cent would pass the citizenship test, based on their answers to 10 randomly selected questions. People who wish to become Canadian need to answer 20 questions about citizens' rights and responsibilities, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.