VANCOUVER — Elections BC has found billionaire Chip Wilson contravened election advertising rules when he put up signs in front of his Vancouver mansion ahead of the provincial election last year, one of which described the NDP as “Communist.”
A letter to Wilson from Elections BC on Wednesday said three signs he installed in front of his home during the provincial election period a year ago constituted third-party advertising that required registration under the Elections Act.
Elections BC investigations director Adam Barnes said in the letter that Wilson must pay a penalty of $600 for contravening the Election Act.
Wilson co-operated during the agency’s investigation and he did end up registering on Oct. 10, 2024, the letter said.
It said the probe began early last October after a sign appeared outside Wilson’s mansion — which has an assessed value of more than $82 million — bearing a message that read, “(Premier David Eby) will tell you the Conservatives are ‘Far Right’ but neglects saying that the NDP is ‘Communist.'”
Elections BC said two other signs were placed in front of the home, but only one included an authorization statement required by B.C. election regulations.
The second sign stated, “Voters seem to forget when Eby ‘gives’ us money, it is the Voters’ money he has already taken.”
The third sign, which included an authorization statement, said, “If Eby and the NDP cannot balance the Provincial budget, what right does he have to tell us how to live our lives?”
Documents filed by Wilson with Elections BC said he spent $1,650 on the signs.
The maximum penalty for the contravention is $10,000, but the agency’s letter said Wilson “may have been unaware” of the registration requirement as a first-time advertising sponsor.
The signs had “significant exposure and reach,” but Wilson brought himself into compliance by registering after Elections BC contacted him, and he answered the agency’s questions in a “timely” manner, the letter said.
It said Wilson has 40 days to pay the $600 penalty.
Wilson did not immediately respond to requests for comment through his personal website or by phone on Wednesday.
At the time the signs were on display, Premier David Eby said, “When you are so rich that the Red Hot Chili Peppers play your birthday party, it’s possible to lose perspective.”
The first sign and Wilson’s home, which is the most expensive residential property in B.C., were vandalized with spray paint calling the Lululemon founder a “selfish billionaire.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025
Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press
