Port Moody police investigating West Vancouver’s mayor: Elections BC

Elections BC has confirmed West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager is the subject of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Port Moody Police Department.

As Elections BC explains, the investigation revolves around “potential spending irregularities” that were identified during a review of Sager’s 2022 election campaign.”

“When we identify a potential contravention of legislation, we can conduct an investigation ourselves or forward the file to one of our law enforcement partners,” Elections BC said in a statement to CityNews.

“Whether or not we decide to forward a file depends on factors like our capacity, which legislation is involved, and the facts of the case.”

Elections BC says it initially brought the matter to the RCMP, who then referred it to Port Moody police.

“In this instance, we have forwarded the file, and will provide any support required to the Port Moody Police Department,” it said.

CityNews reached out to Port Moody police for more information on the matter, but the department said it can’t “provide any further details, including identities of those involved.”

This isn’t the only action or allegation against Sager, as the BC Law Society issued a citation against the politician on Jan. 6, 2023.

It alleges that Sager, who is a lawyer, acted improperly while preparing and executing a former client’s will.

“He is also alleged to have improperly withdrawn up to $8,801.03 from trust when he was not entitled to those funds,” the BC Law Society explained in a statement.

“Sager is alleged to have acted in an additional conflict of interest by investing estate assets with his spouse without the beneficiary’s knowledge or consent.”

A hearing date for the matter was supposed to be scheduled sometime in 2023.

Sager was elected mayor of West Vancouver in 2022. He sat on council at times in the 1980s and previously served as mayor for a term in the 1990s.

With files from David Nadalini