B.C. billionaire Chip Wilson fined $600 over election signs

A sign out front of Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion is shown on Oct. 3, 2024.

Billionaire Chip Wilson has been fined by B.C.’s elections watchdog over three signs he put up outside of his mansion last year, including one in which he called Premier David Eby and the NDP “communist.”

Elections B.C. fined the Lululemon founder $600 for failing to register before sponsoring election advertising — a violation that carries a maximum financial penalty of $10,000.

The watchdog became aware of the first of three signs put up on Wilson’s $82-million Point Grey property on Oct. 2, 2024.

“The sign was held up by lumber supports and stated ‘Eby will tell you the Conservatives are ‘Far Right’ but neglects saying that the NDP is ‘Communist,’” the enforcement notice issued to Wilson said.

“The sign, which opposed a political party (the BC NDP) and an elected official (the current premier), was posted during the regulated campaign period for the 2024 Provincial General Election, making it election advertising.”

An investigator then contacted Wilson to get more details about the sign, including who paid for it and who put it up.

“You indicated via phone that you did not pay anyone to put it up and did it yourself,” the notice continued.

The investigator followed up and told Wilson he would have to register as a third-party election advertising sponsor, and was again told the sign was “homemade” and installed by Wilson himself.

“Homemade signs can be exempt from regulation if the signs were produced by the individual involved, using their own materials, and did not involve the services of a third party to design, print or install them,” the notice said.

“Even if the signs are placed on personal property, and the production/installation of the sign is paid for by the individual, the individual involved would be required to register as a third-party sponsor.”

Wilson conceded that the sign did not meet the criteria of a homemade sign, and neither did an additional two he put up.

“Voters seem to forget when Eby ‘gives’ us money, it is the Voters’ money he has already taken,” the second sign said.

“If Eby and the NDP cannot balance the Provincial budget, what right does he have to tell us how to live our lives?” asked the third.

Wilson told Elections B.C. he paid $1,650.70 for the three signs.

“The signs in question had significant exposure and reach,” the notice said.

“The requirement to register before advertising is intended to increase transparency, openness and accountability in the electoral process.”

Given Wilson’s co-operation with the investigation, the possibility he may have been ignorant of the requirements, and the fact that he brought himself into compliance, a fine of $600 was levied.

Eby, who commented on Wilson’s signs throughout his campaign for re-election, reacted to the news on social media Wednesday.

“In B.C., billionaires don’t decide elections, people do,” he wrote.

RELATED STORIES:

• Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP ‘communist’
• B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
• B.C. NDP called ‘communist’ on sign outside of Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s mansion