BCGEU succeeds in appeal of Elections BC fine

VANCOUVER, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union announced today that the union was successful in its appeal of the $3.2 million fine levied by Elections BC under the BC Liberal government's elections advertising legislation.

In a decision handed down today by the B.C. Supreme Court, the union has been fully relieved of the fine, and will not be deregistered as an election advertiser in the upcoming provincial election.

"The court accepted our argument that the union acted in good faith when we consulted Elections B.C. regarding our advertising," said BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "We are pleased that Elections BC did not oppose our petition in this regard."

The legislation is drafted in a way that limits Elections B.C. officials' discretion in levying penalties under the Act - forcing the union to go to court to achieve relief from fines and penalties.

The union also said it will not pursue the remaining elements of its petition to the court involving the interpretation of election advertising and calculation of the fine.

"We still believe that the advertisement in question was not election advertising," said Walker. "But that is a fight for another day. I'm pleased that the court agreed with our petition."

SOURCE: B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

For more information, contact Chris Bradshaw at 604-369-8411.