Liberal party candidates raised and spent more money than their competition in Abbotsford’s ridings this year, en route to winning each of the three local seats in the legislature in May’s provincial election.
Financial reports, released last week by Elections BC, show the income and expenditures of each provincial candidate.
In Abbotsford West, Liberal MLA Michael de Jong won re-election, securing a fifth term in the legislature.
His total campaign budget was $175,978, including $45,800 in political contributions and $126,628 in transfers from affiliated organizations such as the Liberal Party and the local riding association. The total expenditure reported was $137,410.
Sukhi Dhami, the NDP candidate, and Moe Gill, running as an independent, were among 10 candidates in the province who failed to file their financial reports by the deadline set out in the Election Act.
The reports may be filed by Sept. 11, with a late filing fee of $500.
The riding’s Conservative candidate, Paul Redekopp, had a total campaign income of $51,870, with only $40 coming from transfers and the rest in political contributions. His total expenditures were listed at $79,330. Green Party candidate Stephen O’Shea had $2,080, including $180 in political contributions and $1,900 in transfers.
In Abbotsford South, Liberal candidate Darryl Plecas ousted incumbent and independent MLA John van Dongen, putting an end to his 18-year political career.
Plecas had a total campaign budget of $106,292, with $12,978 in political contributions and $91,523 in transfers.
Van Dongen’s campaign funding was $81,776, with $9,800 and $71,725 in transfers. Plecas reported his total expenditures as $109,716, while van Dongen spent $81,776.
Lakhvinder Jhaj, NDP candidate for the riding, received a total of $48,721, with $29,211 in contributions and $19,260 in transfers.
In Abbotsford-Mission, Abbotsford city councillor and newly-elected Liberal MLA Simon Gibson received $59,460, including $3,040 in political contributions and $54,629 in transfers.
Following him was NDP candidate Preet Rai with $47,306 including $16,688 in political contributions and $30,366 in transfers. Green Party candidate Aird Flavelle had a total of $3,377, with $500 in contributions and $2,877 in transfers, and Conservative candidate Don Stahl had an income of $5,021, with $4,301 coming from political contributions and $720 in transfers.
Gibson’s total expenses were $59,757, while Rai spent $49,563 on his campaign.
Across the province, the BC Liberals spent $11.75 million this year on their way to victory.