A former BC United-Liberals candidate has sued the party, over unrecovered campaign expenses.
Lumby mayor Kevin Acton had been slated to represent BC United in the riding of Vernon-Lumby in the 2024 British Columbia election, but ended up running as an Independent following leader Kevin Falcon's decision to suspend the party's campaign in August.
"I have incurred expenses on behalf of BC United as a candidate," Acton wrote in a notice filed at Vernon's small claims court on Monday, per the CBC. "They have not yet reimbursed me nor have been [in] contact to make arrangements to reimburse for the outstanding balance."
Acton argued that "the fact these expenses have not yet been repaid could put myself and the BC United Party in Contravention of the BC Elections Act," emphasizing that he was only seeking to be paid back for the amount he spent prior to Falcon's decision.
According to Elections BC, however, political parties are under no obligation to reimburse candidates. Further, because BC United did not run any candidates, they were not required to submit financial reports by the January 17 deadline.
In the months since the election, BC United has not shied away from admitting that it is in dire need of financial assistance to stay afloat.
"There is no alternative," a fundraising email sent out in December read. "Either we raise the funds required to meet our commitments, or BC United will be unable to continue."
