EDITORIAL – Fining candidate for omission on election sign is over-reach

An editorial by Mel Rotrhenburger

ELECTIONS RULES are in place for good reason — they make sure candidates are playing fair.

Civic politicians are among those who have to adhere to a complicated set of regulations on what they’re allowed to do during their election campaigns, and when they’re allowed to do it.

One of the more obscure rules is that every one of their signs must include the assurance that their financial agent has authorized the sign, along with contact information for the agent.

It’s a nitpicky thing. I’ve never heard of a voter being confused about whether an election sign is the real thing, and stopping to make sure it has the authorization label on it.

More likely, some eagle eye will be on the lookout for a reason to file a complaint about a candidate with Elections BC. That would seem to be the case with Steven Rice, a former Thompson-Nicola Regional District director who was defeated last October after many years in office.

He’s been fined $200 for not remembering to put the authorization on his election signs. Elections BC sent him a letter last week informing him of the fine despite acknowledging that when the agency contacted him about receiving a complaint, he was already in the process of correcting the signs.

The letter further said he was cooperative with Election BC’s investigation, had never previously been fined for anything to do with his campaigns, and that “the lack of an authorization statement would not likely have misled a reader to conclude the signs were sponsored by another individual or organization.”

It’s typical of letters sent to several other candidates.

So why fine him or any of them at all? I know Steve Rice. He was a conscientious and energetic advocate for his electoral area. He should have known better but he would never have knowingly violated a campaign rule.

This is a case of bureaucratic over-reach. The fine should be withdrawn, and this silly rule revoked.

I’m Mel Rothenburger.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.