G&F Financial Group paid $5,000 last year to attend a provincial Liberal fundraiser featuring Premier Gordon Campbell, with one of the financial institution's representatives describing the event as an "opportunity to bring issues that are important to our Credit Union to the attention of a governing leader."

In an email dated March 9, 2009, the credit union's sales and services vice-president Jeff Shewfelt wrote, "We do not have a policy to directly support political parties. However, there are occasions where we have to enter the political arena when it is in the best interests of G&F."

"The event with the Liberal party presented an opportunity for the CEO to meet with several credit union members, potential members and the Premier of British Columbia. While not directly attributed to the change, the Provincial Government announced unlimited deposit insurance for credit union members in the weeks following the October event," he continued.

"This was in fact discussed at the event. Credit Unions as a whole have lobbied for this change and this provided an opportunity for G&F to discuss this matter."

Shewfelt made the comments in an email to then credit union member Stephen Howard, a British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union communications officer and New Democrat campaign worker, who had written G&F Financial Group to express his concern about the political contribution.

Asked about the matter, Shewfelt told Public Eye, "Over our history, we have at times made donations basically to the ruling party of the day where it was to the benefit of our members and credit unions to participate...But we don't enter that arena very often - only if we for some reason want to advance something for our credit union members."

But if G&F Financial wanted to bring its issues to the attention of the premier, why not just phone his office and arrange an appointment?

"I think that would probably be fairly difficult for an organization of our size to do that," the vice-president replied. "We're certainly not top of mind... Although I guess that would be possible."

Shewfelt said his recollection is that the fundraiser was organized in support of Richmond-Steveston legislator John Yap and attended by between 30 and 40 individuals.

Sean Holman reports for Public Eye Online.