Updated October 14, 2022.

By Don White

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Just in case you’ve missed what’s been happening in the October elections in BC, it appears there’s something of a quasi-organized, right wing incursion into local races for both municipal councils and school boards. However, the incursions are not always declared nor openly apparent, making it challenging for voters to know exactly who or what they are supporting when they cast their votes.

Here’s a smattering of recent stories and their links taken from accredited media and arranged chronologically as they appeared.

Lululemon founder gives $380,000 to boost B.C.’s right-leaning candidates, asks others to donate. Vancouver Sun. August 3, 2022. “Exclusive: Vancouver entrepreneur Chip Wilson has been urging other wealthy individuals to donate to new organization seeking to help B.C.’s right-leaning “pro-business” candidates defeat “socialist” opponents, starting with this October’s municipal elections.”

A new ‘non-partisan’ slate in Victoria’s election has extensive ties to the People’s Party of Canada. Capital Daily. September 13, 2022. “VIVA Victoria’s municipal and school board election effort is in line with successful conservative movements elsewhere—prompting some progressive candidates to join the race.

New B.C. party pushing school board candidates with anti-vax and conspiratorial views. CBC News. September 28, 2022. “ParentsVoice B.C. backing 28 candidates, many of whom aren’t promoting — or have obscured — political beliefs.”

Vancouver Island school board trustee candidate distributing anti-SOGI material. Nanaimo News Bulletin. September 29, 2022. “A candidate for one of Courtenay’s two School District 71 trustee positions has been distributing anti-SOGI 123 material, printed by the organization Action4Canada.”

A freedom convoy donor brings big city party politics to a small B.C. town. CBC News. October 6, 2022. “Osoyoos First is running a slate of 4 candidates in the Oct. 15 municipal election.”

Candidates for Change deny Capital Daily entry at debate, escort one candidate out. Capital Daily. October 7, 2022. “The event was boycotted by some candidates.”

Across BC, Right-Wing Candidates Are Bashing How Schools Teach. The Tyee. October 10, 2022. “They’re waging a ‘parents rights’ campaign against sex education and SOGI. We talked with some.”

A Squamish Election Poisoned by Secret Attack Campaigns. The Tyee. October 12, 2022. “As anonymous ads flood the small town with disinformation, candidates feel helpless.

And in Nanaimo…

Anti-SOGI trustee candidate in Nanaimo-Ladysmith escorted off school property by RCMP. The Tyee. October 14, 2022. “Other candidates dismayed as Tanner Scott holds graphic images in front of parents’ faces.’

It’s time to ask yourself a very important question. How certain are you of the views of the candidates you are considering? It’s probably safe to conclude that not all those running are being totally forthright in disclosing their views, agendas, and/or platforms.

Fortunately, you still have time to check out who you’re voting for before you cast your ballot Saturday. A few good places to get started: Nanaimo News Bulletin Election 2020; Nanaimo News Now Nanaimo Votes 2020; election-related posts on Nanaimonet.com; and Tod Maffin’s extensive database Nanaimo 2022 Candidates. All provide data and interviews (for those candidates who responded) and links to additional sources. Another valuable source of information is the video made of the all candidates event held at Beban Park on September 28, 2022.