Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Whistler campaign finances disclosed

Modest expenditures reflect quiet campaign
n-campaign_finance
CAMPAIGN COSTS: Whistler's finances have been disclosed for last October's election. WWW. SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The disclosure forms have been filed with Elections BC, and spending amounts in Whistler’s October election campaign are now public. Whistler’s 20 candidates collectively spent $25,631 on advertising, signs, wages, mail outs and brochures.

Of those elected, Ralph Forsyth spent the most ($3,020.09) followed by Jen Ford ($2,259), Duane Jackson ($2,083.63), Cathy Jewett ($1,719.93), Arthur De Jong ($634.48) and John Grills ($184.27).

Mayor Jack Crompton, who was acclaimed, listed no campaign-period expenses, but after checking with Elections BC in response to a Pique question, added two pre-campaign expenses: $121.85 for a campaign announcement party and $44.76 for website hosting.

Of the rest of the candidates, Lance Bright was top spender ($4,692.96, including $3,000 for salary and wages), followed by Gord Annand ($2,625), Janice Lloyd ($2,005.97) Brian Reid ($1,784), Miro Kolvek ($1,635.312), Melanie Tardif ($1,258.72), Larry Falcon ($1,090.10), Jeff Murl ($364.35), Dawn Titus ($176.72), David Buzzard ($54.26) and Tova Jamernik ($42.54).

Ira Pettle, Steve Andrews and Nathan Hawkins listed no expenditures.

The 2018 local government election was the first under new provincial legislation banning corporate and union donations, and limiting individual contributions to $1,200 per campaign (and only from B.C. residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents).

Whistler’s modest election campaign was a far cry from other communities—take Squamish, for example, which saw mayoral candidate Paul Lalli declare $25,948 in contributions in a losing bid (more than Whistler’s 20 council candidates combined). (Read more about Squamish’s campaign finances here.

In Pemberton, of those elected, Ted Craddock spent the most at $180, followed by Ryan Zant ($92.95) and Leah Noble, who listed $9.97 on a boosted Facebook post as her only expense.

Amica Antonelli, also elected, listed no expenses.

Of the remaining candidates, David Mackenzie spent $394.40, while Karen Love and Rob Martineau listed zero campaign activity.

Mayor Mike Richman, who ran unopposed, also spent nothing on his campaign.

Find the full campaign finance disclosure forms for each candidate at www.elections.bc.ca.