Kennedy Stewart becomes first Vancouver mayoral candidate to disclose donors' identities

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Independent mayoral candidate Kennedy Stewart was the first to place campaign posters on utility poles in Vancouver in 2018.

      And he's also become the first to disclose who's financing his campaign.

      Today, the NDP MP posted a list on his website of those who've given $100 or more.

      He's promised to do this on an ongoing basis and has challenged his competitors to do the same.

      Stewart, a professor of public policy on leave from SFU, is the largest contributor, donating $2,400 to his own campaign.

      His long-time SFU colleague, Doug McArthur, gave $1,200. McArthur was the top-ranking civil servant in the last NDP government.

      Port Moody-Coquitlam NDP MP Fin Donnelly has also donated $1,200, as have five others. They include Neil Monckton, who worked closely with Stewart on a project called Think City to elevate Vancouverites' understanding of urban issues.

      Other noteworthy contributors to Stewart's campaign are Douglas College political science department chair Jeannette Ashe ($1,200), Van City Studios chief strategist Ryan Vandecasteyen ($1,200), artist Reece Terris ($350), NDP MPs Randall Garrison and Dick Cannings ($200 each), NDP MLA Katrina Chen ($125), MoveUP union president David Black ($100), and environmental lawyer Greg McDade ($100).

      McDade, founder of Sierra Legal Defence Fund (now Ecojustice), has acted for several First Nations, as well as the City of Burnaby in its legal battle with the National Energy Board over its approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

      Stewart raised $32,134.20 from 429 donors in the period from May 10 to June 17.

      "According to provincial laws, all municipal candidates and elector organizations are required to disclose contributions of $100 or more, but only in post-election filings with Elections BC," the campaign stated on his website. "Stewart’s disclosure goes beyond the existing regulations, as he is disclosing his campaign finance information in advance of the October 20 municipal election."

      Comments