A mayoral candidate in Nelson’s 2022 civic election has been fined under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
John Buffery was fined $925 by Elections BC for accepting a $1,250 contribution from Baldface Lodge.
A report published Sept. 10 found the contribution to be prohibited, as businesses are not eligible to donate to a candidate’s campaign under the act.
Elections BC investigator Adam Barnes said Buffery was contacted in June 2023 about a $3,209 deficit between expenses and income reported on his final disclosure statement.
Barnes said Buffery filed his disclosure in January 2023, listing expenses of $5,459 and contributions totalling $2,250, which included the Baldface donation.
Since Buffery was running as a unendorsed candidate he was only eligible to give himself a contribution of $2,500 in the calendar year. This meant he exceeded his contribution limit by $709.46.
Elections BC notified Buffery the Baldface contribution was prohibited and requested he file a supplementary report correcting his disclosure.
He was directed to list the Baldface money as a prohibited contribution, return the funds and raise new, eligible donations to replace the ineligible amount.
In July 2024, Barnes said Buffery submitted a supplementary report showing he had returned the $1,250 to Baldface in July 2023. He also reported two new eligible contributions.
Elections BC officially launched an investigation in April 2025. Buffery was notified and responded the following month, asking for an extension to respond and saying the incident was not motivated by malice.
“You responded to the NOI confirming receipt and asking for an extension in your response until mid-May due to work obligations,” Barnes wrote in his report.
“You also indicated that your campaign was grassroots and ran without a team and that there was no malice or profit from you personally.”
Barnes said he attempted to contact Buffery for several weeks after sending the notice of investigation in April, without success.
Buffery was given a June 30 deadline to respond, with a warning that his co-operation would factor into any penalties.
“The investigator stated your co-operation serves as a significant factor when determining any administrative monetary penalties and that, if they did not receive a response by the deadline, they would proceed with writing the investigation report with the information available.”
Barnes said Elections BC had not received a response by the June 30 deadline. Staff followed up on July 15, advising the investigation report would close on July 18.
Buffery was told his failure to show evidence that the Baldface contribution had been returned left Elections BC to proceed with penalties.
Buffery responded on July 16, saying he ran his campaign and vetted all contributions himself. He said a few concerned citizens helped him and that he believed if he could not raise funds it was his responsibility to cover costs.
He added that the owner of Baldface is a personal friend and he had no documentation showing the funds were returned.
Barnes asked Buffery to clarify whether the money had been repaid and to provide proof. If not, Buffery was directed to return the funds immediately.
Buffery later provided evidence of a $1,250 e-transfer to Baldface dated July 21, 2025.
Barnes concluded Buffery did not return the ineligible donation within the required 30 days.
Elections BC fined him a total of $925 – $550 for taking the money and $375 for failing to return it promptly.
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