BANFF – Three councillors who won seats in the October 2021 municipal election have filed their financial disclosure statements.
Councillors Barb Pelham, Hugh Pettigrew and Chip Olver filed the mandatory disclosure statements following Allan Buckingham who was the first to file.
Coun. Olver received no campaign contributions and was entirely self-funded for her election campaign, which cost $2,582 for social media, newspaper advertising and a promotional flyer.
Also entirely self-funded was Coun. Pettigrew. He spent $1,300 of his own money on his election campaign for candidate business cards, lawn signs, stickers and buttons, and newspaper advertising.
Coun. Pelham also filed, showing campaign contributions of $7,125 from several long-time Banff residents and business operators. Her total expenses were $6,055, leaving a surplus of $1,069. Her excess funds were donated to Banff YWCA and Banff Food Bank.
In Canmore, two people have filed financial disclosure statements. Mayoral candidate Jeff Laidlaw was the first to file and had no campaign contributions and spent no money on his campaign.
Coun. Jeff Mah was the first elected official to submit his financial disclosure. According to the record, the first time councillor had $9,405 in total contributions. The majority of the contributions – $8,975 – were $50 or more. He spent $3,890 on signs, $2,843 on social media and his website and $2,445 on newspaper advertising. All of his campaign contributions came from individuals.
All candidates, regardless of being self-funded or accepting contributions, are required to file a disclosure statement with the municipality.
Candidates are required to disclose names and addresses of donors whose contributions exceed $50. Disclosure statements much be filed by March 1, 2022.
– With files from Greg Colgan
