Angry in the Great White North

The second charge against former Liberal MP Blair Wilson under investigation by Elections Canada focuses on the Marine Drive Office:

Marine Drive Office: Mr Wilson paid $3,000.00 a month for renting an office at 204-1868 Marine Drive, West Vancouver British Columbia from Ocean Walk Holdings Ltd, using Colliers International as their agent. An email sent at 9:21am December 1, 2005, from Mr Brian MacKenzie of Colliers International to Blair Wilson, states "The owner will do a two month liberal campaign deal in the $3000 per month range. (The cost of the space for long term tenant is in the range of $11,000 per month)." Campaigns must pay full market rates for items such as rent otherwise any "deals" in price must be considered corporate donations in kind. In this case a donation in kind of $8,000.00 a month, or $13,935.48 for the period December 1st, 2005 to January 23rd, 2006. No such donation appears in Mr Wilson's return, and regardless it would massively exceed the $1000.00 corporate donation limit of Ocean Walk Holdings Ltd (the landlord). Mr Wilson knowingly took a "deal" prohibited under the act.

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

Check the email that is dated August 31, 2006. Just as with the Cowrie Street question, the discussion concerning these charges was taking place back in August. But in this case, the person considers what expenses "we are to report". We? That was the first direct suggestion that this complaint is coming from within the Blair Wilson campaign itself.

What I find interesting in the material here is that Blair Wilson is directly involved, and not just agents. The representative from Colliers International is emailing Blair Wilson directly with the rent offer, with how it compares to fair market value, and with instructions on payment and taking possession.

That is going to make it unlikely that Blair Wilson would succeed in presenting a defense based on campaign workers making mistakes or taking decisions without informing him.

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

Check out other entries from the Blair Wilson category
Results will open in a new window.