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Elections BC allows Matt Dell to get away with impunity for not disclosing the last name of campaign donor [an Abstract Executive] during the 2022 election campaign for Victoria Council.

By Sasha Izard
March 14, 2026


You may recall that I wrote an article last September:

Who is Tavish? Victoria City Councillor Matt Dell reported to Elections BC, a Tavish as having provided $500 for his 2022 election campaign, yet Dell did not provide a last name for him to Elections BC. – CRD Watch Homepage

I lodged an official complaint to Elections BC. The result was the following.

Tavish Found: Over 3 years after the election, Victoria Councillor Matt Dell has now been compelled by Elections BC to finally submit Abstract CEO Tavish Rai’s full name as a campaign donor. – CRD Watch Homepage

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The only thing missing was any repercussion for this failure by the Dell campaign to comply with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act during the election in regard to not including the full name of his campaign donor in his campaign contributions report to Elections BC at the time.

I replied to Elections BC on Dec 5, 2025:

Have any penalties been made by Elections BC to Matt Dell, or his financial agent?

If not, will any penalties be made by Elections BC to Matt Dell or his financial agent?

Has Dell or his financial agent returned the prohibited contribution to Tavish Rai?

Thank you again,
Sasha

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On Dec 22, 2025 – Elections BC responded:

Dear Sasha Izard:

Thank you for contacting Elections BC.

While we cannot provide a full briefing on our reviews and/or investigations to members of the public, we can confirm that we have reviewed the concerns that you raised and now consider the matter closed.

Please note, should an investigation result in an administrative monetary penalty, this information will be communicated publicly on our website: Administrative Monetary Penalties | Elections BC.

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The following day, I wrote back to Elections BC:

Hello Elections BC,

I do not see a monetary penalty having been applied to Matt Dell or his financial agent, in the link you provided.

If the matter is now closed as you have said, and no penalty has been applied, might a penalty be applied in some time in the future to Matt Dell or his financial agent in regard to their failure to adhere to the Act in their campaign reporting, or has it already been decided by Elections BC, that it will not?

Thank you,
Sasha Izard

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Over a quarter year later Elections BC wrote back to me on March 13, 2026:

Dear Sasha Izard,

Thank you for contacting Elections BC.

When issuing AMPs, we consider previous decisions for similar infractions to ensure the process is consistent and fair.

As previously stated, our Audit and Assessment team reached out to the campaign, who filed an amended report with the full name of the contributor. I do not consider any further enforcement to be necessary.

We consider the matter to be closed.

Sincerely,

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Hello Elections BC,

“When issuing AMPs, we consider previous decisions for similar infractions to ensure the process is consistent and fair.”

So what you are saying is that Elections BC does not make Administrative Monetary Penalties for campaigns that do not disclose a campaign donor’s last name to Elections BC, during an election? – This is despite this being in contravention of the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act section [29 (1) (c)]: 

Thank you,
Sasha Izard

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References:

Administrative Monetary Penalties | Elections BC

Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

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See also:

See also: Index of Articles and other Material regarding Local Government Elections, and Elections BC – CRD Watch Homepage

The BC Local Elections Campaign Financing Act is a Farce. Like a yo-yo, it allows donors, who made prohibited election contributions, to get their money refunded to them after the election. – CRD Watch Homepage

When Prohibited Campaign Donations Disappear from Public Databases, by Sal Robinson – CRD Watch Homepage

Who is Tavish? Victoria City Councillor Matt Dell reported to Elections BC, a Tavish as having provided $500 for his 2022 election campaign, yet Dell did not provide a last name for him to Elections BC. – CRD Watch Homepage

List of campaign donations made by those involved in development and real estate to the campaigns of those who were elected to Saanich council in the 2022 election. – CRD Watch Homepage (Tavish Rai and other Abstract Executives) were among the donors.

Money still skewing local elections – Commentary – Focus on Victoria (2020)

Excerpt: “An astute reader emailed me right after the posting of the disclosure statements to show me how nine people who worked in some capacity with Abstract Developments had given donations totalling $23,400 to various Oak Bay, Saanich, and Victoria candidates. All perfectly legal. Helps’ campaign got a total of seven $1,200 donations from Abstract employees and associates, so $8,400.”

Index of Articles regarding Jet Flights for City of Victoria Staff to development lobby events, that were charged to the City. – CRD Watch Homepage

Plane Flights and Helijets, where taxpayer dollars go from the City of Victoria, for Development Lobby Events – CRD Watch Homepage

An Expensive Party: Victoria Employee flew to Nashville and back, to hang out with developers at their “Social Event”. Cost to the taxpayer: almost $2000 – CRD Watch Homepage