Fuhr outspent Cannan by nearly $50,000 in 2015 election

KELOWNA – It cost Kelowna-Lake Country’s Liberal member of Parliament Stephen Fuhr almost twice as much money to beat his Conservative opponent in last year’s general election.

MP Stephen Fuhr ousted three-term MP Ron Cannan in the traditionally Conservative riding of Kelowna-Lake Country, but he outspent Cannan by nearly $50,000 to do it. Fuhr's total spending was 56 per cent of the $228,718 candidates were allowed, which amounted to roughly $130,000 to Cannan’s $75,000.

The two candidates also chose to spend their money in different ways. Cannan, who was already well known, put far less money into advertising. Fuhr spent more than $114,000 on advertising, nearly three times as much as Cannan, who spent roughly $42,000.

Fuhr spent no money on salaries and half as much as Cannan on personal expenses though, with Cannan spending roughly $4,800 on salaries and claiming more than $1,200 in personal expenses. Fuhr spent just $620 on personal expenses.

Transfers to the candidates were also much different. All of Fuhr’s more than $147,000 came from registered parties while Cannan received no money from political parties, but claimed nearly $77,000 came from registered associations.

Cannan claimed more than $46,000 on 'other' expenses and cash inflows, compared with Fuhr, who says he spent roughly $1,700 in 'other' election expenses.

Candidates across the country had until end Feb. 19 to release breakdown of money spent on their campaigns. Disclosure documents for NDP candidate Norah Bowman are not yet available.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.