Wildsight election ads OK

For Immediate Release

Contrary to recent allegations, Elections BC is not launching an investigation into Wildsight's ads run during the election. Wildsight is in compliance with Elections BC standards, and is submitting required information on election advertising spending for standard review, along with all other registered election advertisers.

"Wildsight is a grass roots, non-partisan organization," said Executive Director John Bergenske. "As such, we are committed to the people of the region, and to upholding all regulations governing non-profit participation in election time advertising."

During the election, Wildsight ran a series of ads in the ridings of Columbia River-Revelstoke, Nelson Creston, and Kootenay East. The ads encouraged citizens to vote with the environment in mind, and to select candidates that they felt best represented them on issues such as the proposed Jumbo Glacier development, the Flathead, Independent Power Projects, and Coalbed Methane.

Bergenske states that, despite recent accusations in the local media, claims that Wildsight acted inappropriately in the election advertising are totally unfounded.

"Wildsight worked with Elections BC to ensure that our election advertising and messaging were produced and published in accordance with government guidelines," said Bergenske. "We are confident that a review by Elections BC will confirm that Wildsight has acted in compliance with the Act and regulations."

Wildsight continues their 20 year history of successfully working with every level and party in government on regional, provincial, and national issues.
 
"We value transparency and accountability, and it is in this spirit that we continue to work for the wild, with the governments, communities and people in our region," said Bergenske.

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About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.

Attached: Wildsight Election Ads, run prior to the 2009 Provincial Election

Contact: Emma Baker, Wildsight Administrative Director  250 427 9325