Welcome to the web site of Reform B.C.
March 23, 2001
NEWS RELEASE

Reform BC has filed

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

IN THE MATTER OF THE JUDICIAL REVIEW PROCEDURE ACT
AND IN THE MATTER OF A DECISION OF THE
Chief Electoral Officer of British Columbia, made pursuant to
the Election Act, dated the 26th day of February, 2001.

BETWEEN: Reform Party of British Columbia PETITIONER
AND: Robert A. Patterson, Chief Electoral Officer RESPONDENT

NO: 011342 VICTORIA REGISTRY

Reform BC will be asking the BC Supreme Court to lift the excessive penalty of suspension concerning the alleged overspending on the 1999 Delta South By-election imposed on the Party by Mr. Robert A. Patterson of Elections BC.

Graham Wray, Financial Agent for Reform in 1999 reported, total party campaign expenses to be $13,573.39. Ross Mcquarrie, Financial Agent for Reform in 2000, after meeting with the forensic auditor in his office on December 20th, 2000 adjusted the party expenses to $28,079.57, expenses well below the party limit of $37,080.17.

Mr. Patterson, without further consultation with the Financial Agents of the Party and Delta Constituency, has made an error in allowing for the allocation of invoices, Addressed To / Incurred By, the Delta South By-election to be moved from the Bill VanderZalm Campaign to the party.

Where Reform BC since last September and December averaged 20% in the polls, the action of one person, Mr. Bob Patterson, has effectively deprived the right of the people to vote for the 2nd most popular party in the province.

Ron Gamble
President, Reform BC

cc: Elections BC


Party Secretary, Shirley Abraham, adds:

On February 26th 2001, Robert A. Patterson, the Chief Electoral Officer, suspended the Reform Party of BC based on the results of their forensic auditor's review of the Party's expenses for the Delta South by-election in 1999. This decision was made by Mr. Patterson without further consultation with the Party.

After reviewing a copy of the Elections BC's audited report, we discovered that the auditors had reallocated spending amounts to reflect an overspending of the Party. This was presented to Elections BC on March 19, 2001. Elections BC did not respond to this information.

Reform BC was left with no alternative but to appeal to the Court for relief. The party is seeking:
  • An order that the decision of the Chief Electoral Officer be quashed,
  • An order, pursuant to Section 219 of the Election Act, that the Party be relieved from all penalties imposed as a result of the Decision, and
  • An order that the Party receive its costs of this application
For more information contact:
Shirley Abraham,
Party Secretary, Reform BC,
(604)594-8688 /(604)584-7722

Download / read Petition to the Court - No. 011342 {.doc file}.

Download / read Affidavit by Reform BC President Ron Gamble {.doc file}.