Former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart’s Election Campaign Accused Again of Not Paying Bills

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For the second time, former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart’s election campaign has been accused of failing to pay bills related to last year’s failed re-election.

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According to a notice of civil suit filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court, the company responsible for some media planning and ad buying services for Stewart’s Forward Together campaign has not received $59,000 for the work performed.

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The claim states that Point Blank Creative Inc. signed a contract with Forward Together on September 8, 2022, five weeks before the October 15 election.

It goes on to say that $50,000 was received for the first $84,000 invoice and nothing was received for a $25,000 invoice issued on October 12, 2022, a shortfall of $59,000. Records show Point Blank spent $65,000 advertising on behalf of the campaign, for which he received a 10 percent commission. The company charged Forward Together $15,000 to create a media plan, as well as $4,000 in GST.

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“In mid-October 2022, Forward Together assured Point Blank that payment would be made immediately and provided four checks as payment for the outstanding amount,” the claim says.

“On or about October 26, 2022, Point Blank attempted to deposit these checks, but the drawee bank declined them due to insufficient funds. Forward Together has refused or refused to make full payment or any payment in respect of the outstanding amount.”

Point Blank is seeking a judgment against Forward Together for $59,000 plus legal costs.

Forward Together has not yet responded to the legal claim.

Last month, a small business owner in Burnaby contacted Global BC and told them that Forward Together had failed to pay a $3,000 bill for rental of folding desks, chairs and tables.

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The owner said he billed Forward Together right after the election and was told they would pay him in 30 days. In February, he says Forward Together campaign manager Neil Monckton presented him with a debt management proposal to pay about $300 in 2023.

Stewart, who has returned to his job as a professor at Simon Fraser University, was soundly defeated by Ken Sim after serving one term as mayor.

The Forward Together website is still accepting donations. The match raised $1.36 million between May 2018 and September 2022.

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