Paul Stock’s election challenge is not breaking any campaign financing rules, Elections BC confirms.
Last week, the Hope Standard reported on a challenge District of Hope council candidate Paul Stock issued to the Mayor and council elected Oct. 20. He challenged them to donate their wages, and he would do the same if elected, to a local charity of their choice. This would inject just over $83,000 back into the economy, Stock said.
At the time, candidates for council were asked their opinion on the challenge and whether they would parttake. Council candidate Matthew Steberl stated via an email to the Standard that the challenge ‘is probably considered an election expense’ which could result in Stock being fined or even face jail time under campaign financing rules.
RELATED: Candidate for Hope council challenges Mayor and council to donate their wages to local charities
“Nothing in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act prevents a challenge like this,” Andrew Watson, manager of communications for Elections BC stated via email. “Candidates cannot make charitable contributions using campaign funds, but nothing under the legislation we administer prevents an elected official from contributing their salary as an elected official to charity, nor from making claims during the election that they will do so if elected.”
So far only one other candidate has chosen to take Stock up on his offer. If elected, out-of-town candidate Sung Yun Wong stated via an email to the Hope Standard that he would donate his entire wage to a local charity. As he is ‘not that familiar with local charities in Hope’, Wong stated he would donate to the same charity as Stock if elected.
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