NoVote2017 spent more than $7,000 on advertising as it fought the City of Nanaimo’s event centre proposal, according to disclosure statements.
Elections B.C. released disclosure statements this month of advertising sponsors for this year’s event centre referendum, which shows advertising expenses and the contributions received.
Nanaimo held a referendum in March, with 80.3 per cent of voters rejecting borrowing $80 million for an event centre, slated for the south downtown waterfront.
NoVote2017 stated that $7,145 of its own funds was used on advertising and it received $8,835 in contributions, including from 350 anonymous donors. Of significant contributors recorded, Malcolm Dunnett gave the most to the campaign at $750, followed by former city councillor Blake McGuffie at $500 and the Canadian Taxpayer Federation which contributed $500 in kind. Other contributors included former Nanaimo city manager Jerry Berry, with $200, Nanaimo NDP MLA Leonard Krog with $100 and Andy Laidlaw, a former city employee at $200. Former city councillors Joy Cameron and Fred Pattje also contributed $300 and $200 respectively.
Yes for Nanaimo Event Centre sent its statement after Elections B.C. deadline, June 9, and without the required late-filing fee. It has until July 10 to file, along with the $500 fee.