Opposition parties demand Elections BC complete investigation before Vancouver by-election

Before voters will go to the polls to elect two city councillors in what some say will be a referendum on the mayor's leadership.

Four Vancouver opposition parties say B.C.’s elections watchdog needs to finish its investigation into ABC’s campaign finances, prior to the city’s spring by-election.

The Green Party of Vancouver, the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), OneCity Vancouver, and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver, held a news conference Tuesday, demanding Elections BC discipline Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and his majority party for finance irregularities stemming from the 2022 municipal election.

“We’re here today in defense of democracy,” said Green Party Coun. Pete Fry.

Fry said, ABC received $116,000 in prohibited donations. He added, while the funds were paid back, the donations weren’t allowed under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

“It’s been two years and over six disclosure statements that ABC have filed, yet there’s yet to be any disciplinary action or even a conclusion of the investigation by Elections BC,” he said.

“These are serious financial irregularities and we expect that the rules apply to each of us equally.”

The parties say they wrote a letter to Elections BC in 2024, voicing concerns that the organization had yet to take action in holding Ken Sim’s majority party accountable.

In an email to CTV News, Elections BC said its investigations into ABC Vancouver and other electoral organizations remain active and ongoing.

“These investigations involve potential campaign financing violations during the 2022 General Local Elections,” the statement said.

Elections BC adds it’s working to conclude these investigations as soon as possible.

The parties say they’d like the organization to finish its work prior to the by-election which is scheduled for April 5.

Voters will elect two councillors to fill seats vacated by Christine Boyle, who was elected as an MLA and Adriane Carr, who resigned her seat earlier this month – citing, in part, a “loss of trust and confidence” in the mayor.

Candidate nominations begin on Feb. 18 and the final list declared on Feb. 28. Advance voting at City Hall would run from March 26 to April 1. An additional 24 polling places at community centres will be open on election day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The total cost of the byelection is estimated at $2 million. The report notes that voter turnout in 2017, the last time the city held a byelection was 10.99 per cent.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Lisa Steacy