The union representing school support workers was the most generous funder in school board elections last November.
CUPE 561 or other CUPE affiliates contributed to the campaigns of four of nine School District 43 trustees who were elected to represent the cities of Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and the villages of Anmore/Belcarra.
The average CUPE donation was approximately $4,000 per endorsed candidate, except for Chuck Denison, who received only $1,500 from CUPE 561.
Denison, a Coquitlam trustee who was formerly the president of the District Parent Advisory Council, was also the top spender in the SD43 board elections with $12,004 in expenses listed on his disclosure form.
Candidates that were not endorsed by CUPE either self-financed their campaign or got some donations from family, friends, and small businesses according to disclosures available online at Elections BC (electionsbc.ca/lecfa)
COQUITLAM
Carol Cahoon
Raised: $4,969 (CUPE $4,050)
Spent: $4,969
Chuck Denison
Raised: $1,500 (CUPE $1,500, remainder self-funded)
Spent: $12,004
Barb Hobson
Raised: 8,702 (No CUPE, self-funded, family, friends)
Spent: $8,694
Diane Sowden
Raised: $2,655 (No CUPE, self-funded)
Spent: $2,655
PORT COQUITLAM
Judy Shirra
Raised: $2,737 (No CUPE, self-funded)
Spent: $2,116
Michael Thomas
Raised: $6,795 (CUPE donations $4,050)
Spent: $7,828
PORT MOODY
Lisa Park
Raised: $8,255 (CUPE $4,050, plus family, friends supporters including Surrey-Walley NDP MLA Bruce Ralston, $100, Port Moody mayor contender Gaetan Royer $100)
Spent: $8,529
Keith Watkins
Raised: $11,050, (No CUPE, self-funded, plus friends)
Spent: $7,993
ANMORE/BELCARRA
Kerri Palmer Isaak
Raised:$3,393 Individuals (No CUPE, $2,393 from individuals, $1,000 from corporations)
Spent: $3,393
