B.C. billionaire Chip Wilson dodges max $10K penalty, fined $600 for election signs
“On Oct. 2, 2024, EBC became aware of sponsored election advertising in the form of a large sign,” wrote Adam Barnes, director of investigations for Elections BC, in the enforcement notice. “The sign appeared on your property on and did not contain an authorization statement.
“The sign was held up by lumber supports and stated, ‘Eby will tell you the Conservatives are ‘Far Right’ but neglects saying that the NDP is ‘Communist.’ The sign background was white, and the text was black with the words ‘NDP’ and ‘Communist’ in red. The sign, which opposed a political party (the BC NDP) and an elected official (the current premier), was posted during the regulated campaign period for the 2024 Provincial General Election, making it election advertising.”
Elections BC outlined that when they contacted Wilson by phone and email, the Lululemon founder stated that he did not pay anyone to put up the sign, that they were his own, and that they were homemade.
However, the investigator notified Wilson that if an individual uses a third-party service to design, create or install the signs, they become an election advertising sponsor. And that the created signs fall under a regulated form of election advertising
Wilson told the investigator in October 2024 that he had paid for the sign using a third-party company and that he would register as a third-party election sponsor.
Anonymous
Two additional signs put up at Wilson’s Point Grey property, which is valued at over $82 million, also had “significant exposure and reach.”
One sign read, “Voters seem to forget when Eby ‘gives’ us money, it is the Voters’ money he has already taken.”
The other proclaimed, “If Eby and the NDP cannot balance the Provincial budget, what right does he have to tell us how to live our lives?”
In May of this year, Wilson confirmed to the investigator that he spent $1,650.70 on the
three signs, two of which lacked a valid authorization statement.
Wilson’s signs also had unintended consequences, as lululemon’s flagship Vancouver store was vandalized with a message for the billionaire, a move many believe was a response to his signs.
Daily Hive reached out to Elections BC to inquire about how the $600 penalty for Wilson’s contravention was decided.
Elections BC voting place. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
In its response, Elections BC states that the purpose of administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) is to provide an efficient alternative to offence prosecution for certain types of non-compliance under the Election Act.
“The primary purpose of AMPs is to promote compliance, change behaviour to prevent future contraventions, and support transparency in the electoral process… They are not designed to be punitive.”
“The amount for AMPs depends on several factors, including whether it’s a first-time contravention, whether the individual registered after being contacted by Elections BC, and whether they have previously registered as a third-party advertising sponsor. We also consider previously imposed penalties for similar infractions to ensure the process is consistent and fair.”
The enforcement notice stated that Wilson registered as a third-party sponsor after being contacted by Elections BC, had not previously been the subject of a monetary penalty, and that he was cooperative and timely throughout the investigation.
Elections BC also confirmed that an individual’s financial status is not considered when determining the amount of the penalty, and no candidate or third-party sponsor has ever been charged the maximum fine of $10,000.