Angry in the Great White North

Former Liberal MP Blair Wilson became an independent following charges that he had violated federal election spending rules.  Blair Wilson has admitted to some of those violations:

B.C. MP Blair Wilson has admitted to violating federal election rules by failing to disclose election spending and accepting the donation of 144 umbrellas during the last election campaign.

Elections Canada announced yesterday that Mr. Wilson has acknowledged three violations of the Canada Elections Act when he ran for a seat as a Liberal in the 2006 election.

The West Vancouver MP admitted that neither the 144 printed umbrellas, worth about $711, nor the $9,000 he spent on brochures, business cards and Christmas cards, were declared as election expenses.

Following up on an anonymous complaint, Elections Canada said Mr. Wilson also failed to appoint an official agent and auditor before accepting a contribution or incurring an electoral campaign expense.

The anonymous complaint and the evidence submitted to Elections Canada was made available to me in November 2007, when the allegations were first made.  You can see that material in these posts, including the evidence of the umbrellas and the printing.

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

The case has been resolved with a notice compliance, essentially a promise to follow the rules going forward, so there will be no prosecution by Elections Canada.

Unfortunately for Wilson, it doesn't seem like the Liberals will allow him to run as the party's candidate in this riding or any other.