About campaign financial disclosureS

In federal and provincial politics, money speaks. Donors often are given a much bigger voice than everyday voters.

That hasn’t happened at the Grande Prairie municipal level. However, recent changes to provincial legislation have eliminated limits on what donors can give during a campaign season while also removing rules about pre-election disclosures. These changes have opened the door to big, secretive donors.

I want to guard Council and candidates from large donors attempting to purchase influence. The only way to do that is through transparency. I strongly believe that all candidates should make a financial disclosure before election day. As they go to the polls, voters should be able to consider how campaigns are financed.

During the last campaign, I called on all other campaigns to voluntarily post a financial disclosure prior to October 18th. When it comes to disclosing donations, I hoped that candidates would either:

  • Create and disclose a limit on donation sizes. A campaign gathering many small donations is great. If one is relying on a few large donations, that could be concerning.

  • Disclose the name of big donors. It isn’t too concerning to see someone give a large donation to a candidate they believe in. But if someone is giving large donations to many candidates, there might be reason for concern.

A number of campaigns made at least one of these disclosures. However, since I’m the candidate who first brought up disclosures, I choose to do both.

$300 is the biggest donation that I was to accept.

I also disclosed the names of donors who gave $100 or more.

In the interest of transparency, I am leaving this financial disclosure posted.

My Financial Disclosure

Last updated: October 17. Numbers rounded to closest $5.

Spending

My spending to date:

  • Printing (signs & flyers): $3,700

  • Webhosting & domains: $605

  • Campaign discs for fundraising event & donors: $515

  • Software Subscriptions (Zoom, Canva, Kapwing): $400

  • Advertising fees: $135

  • Miscellaneous: $75

Total spending to date: $5,430

I will be spending approximately $500 more. Expenses will include advertising costs, “thank you”s for volunteers and supporters, and supplies to put signs into storage.

Event revenue

In August, I held a disc golf fundraiser. Event fees generated $950 in gross revenue. Costs were $305. Net revenue was $645.

Donations

On top of event revenue, I have received $3,529 in donations to date.

Donors

41 donors have given $100 or less.

The following donors have given between $101 and $300:

  • A. Richards

  • K. Gundersen

  • G. Hearn

  • B. Johnson

  • J. Wills

  • R. Nasedkin

  • R. Websdale

Although I have been offered larger cheques, I have not accepted donations of over $300.

SELF-CONTRIBUTIONS

I have self-contributed $950 to date. With some upcoming expenses, I expect that I will contribute approximately $500 for a total of approximately $1450.

If you would like to donate to my campaign, it would allow for a larger advertising buy on election day and help with outstanding expenses. You can donate by sending an e-transfer to dylan@bressey.ca or visiting www.bressey.ca/donate