Enbridge plebiscite spending total rises with new disclosure

Adding signs and printed materials in to the mix brings Northern Gateway's plebiscite spending notably higher than initially disclosed.

Enbridge Northern Gateway had claimed lower spending against their project’s opponents in the lead up to the April 12 plebiscite in Kitimat, but new totals bring the company’s spending higher.

While their print and radio ad spending remains the same at $6,500 and $3,100 respectively, Northern Gateway’s manager of coastal and aboriginal and community relations Donny Van Dyk told the Sentinel today they have finalized the costs for signs and brochures which totalled approximately $12,800.

That makes $22,400 total spent by Northern Gateway on all campaigning-related expenses.

Based on these figures Enbridge was outspent by Douglas Channel Watch on print advertising, but spent more on radio and supplies.

Douglas Channel Watch say they spent a total of $10,970 on print, $2,600 on radio with another $792.92 on supplies. That totals $14,362.92.

The cost to Kitimat taxpayers remains at $13,500, not inclusive of some extra advertising the District of Kitimat bought near the end of the process.

That includes $7,500 in wages, $1,000 for the ballots themselves, $3,000 for advertising and $2,000 in “other/materials.”

Kitimat Northern Sentinel