BC’s Conservative Party received more than $380,000 in donations from the BC NDP in the final quarter before the Oct. 19 election, when the BC NDP was creaking with the slimmest of majority governments.

BC Elections reported the Conservatives received $3,390,562 between July 1 and September 30, while the incumbent NDP received $3,010,166; The BC Green Party received $608,134.

At the start of the year, in the first quarter, the Conservatives received $383,954, while the NDP received $1,120,251 and the now-defunct BC United received $830,642.

In late August, BC United effectively closed its campaign with leader Kevin Falcon supporting the Conservatives and their leader John Rustad; because polls have shown consistent support for the Conservatives over BC United, which has been renamed the BC Liberal Party.

Eligible parties also receive $1.75 for each valid vote they received in the last general election. This amount, paid from the tax base, is adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index.

BC Elections’ latest tally, pending three judicial recounts, shows the NDP with 943,915 votes, the Conservatives with 910,180 and the Greens with 173,382; therefore, the parties will be awarded US$1,746,000, US$1,684,000 and US$321,000 respectively through the legislation.

The amount going to the Conservatives is in stark contrast to the $31,414 they received at the last election.

The 2024 election is the second in which corporate and union donations are banned, following 2017 and individual donations are capped at $1,200 annually plus inflation.

For 2024, a person can donate a total of $1,370.68 per campaign to a local election candidate or voter organization, according to Elections BC.

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