BURST
Vancouver billionaire Chip Wilson has been fined $600 by Elections B.C. for anti-NDP signs that he erected on his Point Grey property during last year’s provincial election campaign.
The prominent sign, held up by lumber supports and displayed on Wilson’s property, drew the attention of pedestrians and onlookers, and became a talking point in the tony Kitsilano neighbourhood.
In bold black text with red-highlighted text against a white background, the large sign said: “Eby will tell you the Conservatives are ‘Far Right’ but neglects saying the NDP is ‘Communist.'”
Adam Barnes, director of investigations for Elections B.C., said Wilson sponsored election advertising during the campaign before registering as a third-party sponsor in contravention of the Election Act.
In its enforcement notice issued Tuesday, Elections B.C. noted the sign didn’t contain an authorization statement, which would identify who paid for the sign.
The sign also opposed a political party and an elected official, and was posted during the regulated campaign period for the 2024 provincial election held Oct. 19, making it election advertising.
Elections B.C. said it became aware of the sign in early October.
On Oct. 4, an investigator sent Wilson a notice two days later asking for information on who paid for the sign. Wilson responded that he didn’t pay anyone to put up the sign and did it himself.
The investigator told Wilson that a sign is considered a regulated form of election advertising if it was produced by a third-party to design print or install and “even if the signs are placed on personal property, and the production/installation of the sign is paid for by the individual, the individual involved would be required to register as a third- party sponsor.”
Wilson registered as a third-party advertising sponsor on Oct. 10, six days after receiving the notice of investigation. He also added a valid authorization statement to the sign.
Two other signs were erected at the property, said Elections B.C., with one containing a valid authorization statement.
One sign read: “Voters seem to forget when Eby ‘gives’ us money, it is the Voters’ money he has already taken,” while the third sign said: “If Eby and the NDP cannot balance the Provincial budget, what right does he have to tell us how to live our lives?”
Wilson told the investigator he paid $1,650.70 for the three signs.
The Election Act contravention carries a fine of up to $10,000.
Barnes said the signs had “significant exposure and reach,” but given that Wilson was a first-time advertising sponsor who may have been unaware of the requirement to register as a third-party sponsor before putting up the sign, and his co-operation throughout the investigation, he assessed Wilson with a penalty of $600.
Wilson should have no trouble coming up with the money to pay the fine. In early 2025, Forbes estimated the Lululemon founder’s net worth at about $6 billion.