Elections BC has fined Crown Isle Holdings Ltd. $300 for breaching the Election Act during the 2024 provincial campaign.

Investigators say several signs went up on the Crown Isle golf course and other locations in Courtenay promoting candidate Brennan Day and a Conservative government at all levels. The signs did not include the required authorization statement, and Crown Isle had not registered as a third-party advertiser when the ads appeared.

Crown Isle filed its registration and added authorization stickers the next day. Elections BC noted the signs were displayed for less than two days, the company cooperated fully, and there was no deliberate attempt to circumvent the rules.

The investigation found that while the company was likely unaware of the registration requirement, the missing authorization reduced transparency of campaign spending. Under section 250.07 of the Election Act, a monetary penalty is required.

Elections BC said the company may request a review by an adjudicator within 14 days or seek relief from the B.C. Supreme Court within 30 days.