Prince George-North Cariboo MLA slapped with fine after surpassing anonymous donations limit

Elections B.C. has slapped a local MLA with a $1,500 fine for exceeding the anonymous donations limit during the 2024 provincial election campaign. 

Prince George-North Cariboo representative Sheldon Clare was notified of the penalty yesterday (Wednesday) after it was reported he received over $7000 in anonymous contributions. 

The anonymous contribution limit was $3,000. 

Clare’s financial agent Gary Blair confirmed the following information to Elections B.C.: 

• The anonymous contributions were collected by “multiple volunteers and some of the campaign team and handed to Sheldon Clare for deposit” in Quesnel at a meet and greet townhall on July 5, 2024, and at a booth at Billy Barker Day between July 18 to 21, 2024.
• All anonymous contributions were made in cash and under $50.
• This was their first time as a financial agent, and they tried to ensure they managed everything to the best of their abilities. 

In assessing the penalty, the agency made several further points including: 

• Accepting anonymous contributions above the legislated limit gives a candidate an advantage in that they do not need to collect the required information to ensure the contributions are from eligible sources.
• Accepting contributions above the limit reduces transparency in the campaign’s financing.
• You did not have any due diligence measures in place to prevent the acceptance of anonymous contributions over the limit.
• The investigation did not reveal any deliberate attempt to circumvent the legislation. • You received notice of the compliance rules.
• You have not previously been the subject of a monetary penalty under the Election Act.
• Your campaign has been cooperative with our investigation.

Earlier this year, Clare pulled the pin on his bid to become the next of the Conservative Party. 

Six candidates remain in the race with a new party leader to be decided May 30th.