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Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Marvin Hunt spent 15 times as much as opponents in 2017 election

Marvin Hunt’s campaign reports $84K spent, NDP candidate Rebecca Smith’s campaign spent under $5K
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Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Marvin Hunt. (Contributed)

Elections BC has released the financial disclosures for the 2017 provincial election, and the filings show that the BC Liberals far outspent all other political parties in the Surrey-Cloverdale riding during the campaign.

BC Liberal candidate Marvin Hunt spent more than 15 times the amount as the riding’s next highest spender. According to campaign disclosures, Hunt spent a total of $84,308.43 to NDP candidate Rebecca Smith’s $4,860.27.

Some of the largest differences in spending between the two campaigns include:

  • Media advertising: Hunt spent $11,612.75 and Smith spent $588.11.
  • Promotional material (which includes signs and brochures): Hunt claimed nearly $16,000 and Smith claimed just under $1,300.
  • Salaries and benefits: Hunt’s campaign claimed $10,000 and Smith’s campaign claimed none.
  • Telecommunications: Hunt spent $14,896.65 and Smith spent $197.31.

Green Party candidate Aleksandra Muniak’s campaign spent $1,391.33 in total, and BC Libertarian candidate Peter Poelstra reported no expenses.

Hunt won the Surrey-Cloverdale seat with 11,918 votes to Smith’s 9,763. Muniak received 3,091 votes and Poelstra received 279.

To look up individual donors and finances for the Surrey-Cloverdale constituency, use Elections B.C.’s searchable database.