Court says law infringes, but upholds B.C. election rules on small advertisers

VANCOUVER – A B.C. judge has upheld sections of the province’s election laws that require anyone spending money on advertising to register with Elections BC, regardless of how much they spend.

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association argued the law was unconstitutional because it discourages people or groups from engaging in political speech.

The group argued the rules shouldn’t apply to amounts of less than $500.

B.C. Supreme Court Judge Bruce Cohen has released a written ruling in which he agrees the law infringes on the right to free speech.

However, Cohen says the infringement is reasonable and can be justified by the need to ensure elections are open and transparent.

The association pointed out in court that other jurisdictions exempt advertising involving small amounts of money from registration requirements.