The third charge against former Liberal MP Blair Wilson under investigation by Elections Canada focuses on the printing of campaign literature:

Printing: Mr Wilson's campaign used DPI Digital People Inc of 1612 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver for his campaign printing. No campaign expense is registered with DPI printing on his return. Please find enclosed three sets of emails between DPI and Wilson campaign team members which detail a series of orders from DPI:

1. December 2, 2005 - An email chain showing orders to DPI requesting three additional sets of business cards. Former campaign manager, Elizabeth Woods (whose email address has been erased in the original email), actually states in her reply to Christopher Bennett, the Chief Communications Officer, that these expenses will have to go against the spending cap, even though "Blair does offer to pay for it himself." Despite this warning these expenses were not included in Mr Wilson's return. Perhaps Mr Wilson did pay for it himself.
2. December 5, 2005 - Email chain between the campaign team and DPI about a brochure that Mr Wilson is having printed. The quoted price from DPI is $6,850 for 60,000 brochures. There is no expense for this amount on Mr Wilson's returned filled [sic] with Elections Canada. The brochures were produced. A copy of one is enclosed.
3. December 12, 2005 - Email chain between Christopher Bennett, the Chief Communications Officer and another campaign worker JoAnne Strongman about delivery of business cards. Clear evidence business cards were orderer [sic] and delivered from DPI, but they do not appear anywhere on Mr Wilson's Statement of Campaign Expenses.

You can study the supporting material related to the printing charge against Blair Wilson for yourself.

From reading these emails we learn about some of the dynamics at play in and around the Blair Wilson campaign, in addition to the elements of the case being established with regards to the purchase of the cards and brochures.

Elizabeth Woods as campaign manager reminding people that even if Blair is the candidate, as manager certain decisions rest with her. And Woods is a stickler for tracking expenses, especially since by February 12, 2005, the Blair Wilson campaign had just about reached the spending limit.

In the email from December 7, 2005, Woods complains that her financial authority was being undermined by Blair Wilson and JoAnne Strongman. Moreover Woods reveals that Blair Wilson had said on December 5 that he was "taking over all financial affairs of the campaign".

This is significant if the allegations of illegal spending are confirmed after an investigation.

Woods also reveals tension with Liberal Party headquarters. The "Big Guy", aka "Bruce", directed Executive Assistant Guillio Vilas on what to do, but was concerned that despite this, Blair Wilson was not sufficiently controlled:

...actually I'm calling to find out if Blair's trying to run his own campaign...and if he thinks he is, he better not be....I'll be in touch."

If the Blair Wilson did overspend, the role of the "big guy" in what happened might be significant, if he indeed was running the campaign from Liberal Party headquarters.

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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