Angry in the Great White North

The first charge against former Liberal MP Blair Wilson under investigation by Elections Canada focuses on the Cowrie Street Office:

Cowrie Street Office: Mr Wilson established a campaign office at 5666 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, British Columbia which he took possession of on December 1st, 2005. The rent was $960 a month plus GST (7%) for a total of $1,027.20. The landlord was Mr Michael Fawkes. No payments to Mr Fawkes for rent appear on Mr Wilson's return. Please find the enclosed copies of three cheques from the late Mrs Norma Lougheed to Mr Fawkes clearly marked for the "Cowrie Street Liberal Office." The first cheque is dated November 23, 2005 is the $1,000.00 damage deposit, while the other two are for rent dated December 1, 2005 and January 1, 2006 and each for the amount $1,027.20.

No donation from Mrs Lougheed (Mr Wilson's mother-in-law) appears anywhere on his return. Mr Wilson personally lists several amounts for rent as having been paid to him, but none of them match the amounts for the Cowrie Street office. The Cowrie Street office, advertised on Mr Wilson's brochures, appears neither as an expense, or as a donation in kind from Mrs Lougheed. Mr Wilson clearly had this office paid for by another person. Also enclosed is an email attachment from his then campaign manager Elizabeth Wood about the leasing arrangements.

You can study the supporting material related to the Cowrie Street office charge against Blair Wilson for yourself.

Check the email that is dated August 31, 2006. In it, the person alleges that the returns filed by Blair Wilson did not account for the Cowrie Street office. That was nearly two months before the formal complaint to Elections Canada was filed.

I wonder if in those two months anyone took their concerns about Blair Wilson's accounting to the Liberal Party first.

Later there is the letter dated November 25, 2005. In it, Gord Holley and Doug Hammond are appraised of the Cowrie Street leasing arrangement, included the amounts.

Gord Holley is Blair Wilson's official agent. Gord Holley has said that he was unaware of any accounting problems in Blair Wilson's campaign:

Wilson's official agent, Gordon Holley, said he wasn't aware of cash payments or unsubmitted receipts. "I continue to not be aware of any improprieties with respect to the campaign finances," he said.

But Gord Holley knew the Cowrie Street office was being leased from Michael Hawkes, being told on November 25, 2005. Did he not notice the conspicuous absence of the Cowrie Street office, Michael Hawkes, and the rental amounts from the final return?

Doug Hammond is the president for the Liberal Party riding association. He was made aware of the Cowrie Street office lease at the same time Gord Holley was. Though it doesn't seem obvious that the riding president would check Blair Wilson's documentation for accuracy before submission to Elections Canada, he needs to be concerned. If nothing else, he'll be wondering why this obvious expense was allegedly missed and no one caught it.

The Charges Against Blair Wilson:

1. The Charges (The letter of complaint)
2. The Cowrie Street Office (The Cowrie Street evidence)
3. The Marine Drive Office (The Marine Drive evidence)
4. Printing (The Printing evidence)
5. Canada Post (The Canada Post evidence)
6. The Umbrellas (The Umbrellas evidence)
7. The Coast Reporter (The Coast Reporter evidence)
8. The Whistler Question (The Whistler Question evidence)
9. Jamey Kramer (The Jamey Kramer evidence)
10. Conclusion

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