O'Kane fined for missing financial-disclosure deadline
Last fall's run at a seat on White Rock council will cost one candidate an extra $500, after he failed to meet Tuesday's deadline for filing his financial details.
Deputy city clerk Maureen Connelly confirmed Wednesday that Grant O'Kane did not file the required information within the 120 days allotted, triggering the penalty dictated by Local Government Act regulations.
"The deadline was yesterday," Connelly said. "He is able to file still, but he is in the late filing now."
O'Kane was one of nine candidates to vie for the council seat in the Nov. 3 byelection that was triggered by the June death of longtime councillor Mary-Wade Anderson.
The other eight – Dave Chesney, Megan Knight, Scott Kristjanson, Bill Lawrence, Bruce McWilliam, Pat Petrala, Tom Willman and Graham Wood – all filed in time.
Of those, Lawrence – who won the byelection – recorded the highest in contributions and expenses, noting both at $7,115.87.
Knight was next highest, reporting $6,809 in contributions and $5,909 in expenses.
Petrala noted $2,835 in contributions and $2,685.13 in expenses; Chesney recorded $2,759.40 and $2,739.30, respectively; and McWilliam, $1,661.74 and $1,664.14.
Wood's contributions and expenses were both reported at $1,214.52.
Willman – who filed his disclosure papers just two days after the byelection, on Nov. 5 – reported zero in cash contributions ($420 in in-kind) and $616 in expenses; Kristjanson reported $400 in campaign contributions and $346.79 in expenses.
Connelly said O'Kane must pay the $500 fine to the city, and now has until April 4 to file his financial information.
If he misses that deadline, further penalties may result, including disqualification from running in the next general election.
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