Angry in the Great White North

The eighth charge against former Liberal MP Blair Wilson under investigation by Elections Canada focuses on how third-party advertising was accounted for:

Jamey Kramer - On January 19, 2006 Mr Jamey Kramer, an occasional employee of Mr Wilson, ran a full page ad in the Whistler Question. In this ad he endorsed Blair Wilson, and included Mr Wilson's picture and email address. Mr Kramer did not register as a third party despite spending several hundred dollars to purchase a full page ad. This ad then, by an employee of Mr Wilson's must be taken as part of Mr Wilson's campaign spending. The proof that Mr Kramer had worked for Mr Wilson is included in the full page ad Mr Wilson's campaign ran in the Whistler Question in January 19, 2006. Needless to say it was not reported in his statement of expenses.

You can study the supporting material related to the third-party advertising charge against Blair Wilson for yourself.

Was Jamey Kramer an employee of Mr Wilson's? Here is the mention in the advertising mentioned that appear in the Whistler Question:

Jamey Kramer, Professional Snowboarder, Whistler
"This coming election I will be voting for Blair Wilson, our local Liberal MP. I have taught Blair's family snowboarding almost [every?] weekend for past 7 seasons. I know Blair to be an honest, genuine guy and a good dad."

Every weekend for seven years? I supposed that might be considered an employee, in which case the ad is campaign advertising. If not, it is third party advertising.

Either way, it is alleged that nothing was filed with Elections Canada.

Addendum: Jamey Kramer's MySpace page.

Addendum: Jamey Kramer ran for mayor of Whistler:

Jamey Kramer, a snowboard instructor and hobby filmmaker, said he loves living in Whistler, despite the fact he lives below the poverty line in a town where chalets sell for $1.7 million and condos for $735,288. Kramer decided to run for council to "fight for his lifestyle". He said he has seen too many friends leave because they could no longer afford to live there.

"An economy should be run for the benefit of the majority, rather than for a small aristocratic class." Kramer told the Straight. "I would offer tax breaks to the local Whistler homeowner who rents out his basement to young, seasonal workers. Half of Whistler's homes sit empty while 500 long-time residents wait on the town's affordable-housing list."

Whistler's community monitoring program (done in 2003) estimated there were 9,480 permanent residents, 4,558 seasonal/part-time residents, and 9,100 second homeowners.

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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