News Releases: Commissioner of Canada Elections
Commissioner of Canada Elections Enters into Two
Compliance Agreements
Gatineau, May 24, 2018
An investigation conducted by the Commissioner of Canada Elections has resulted in two compliance agreements.
The Commissioner has entered into a compliance agreement with the National Capital Region Chapter of Fair Vote Canada (NCR Chapter-FVC). The agreement is in relation to an election advertising pamphlet that was produced and distributed by the NCR Chapter-FVC with the assistance of the campaign manager for the New Democratic Party of Canada candidate during the April 3, 2017, by-election in the electoral district of Ottawa—Vanier. Since, as a third party, the NCR Chapter-FVC did not act independently from the candidate's campaign in carrying out this election advertising, it constituted an illegal non-monetary contribution made to the candidate's campaign. The NCR Chapter-FVC therefore circumvented the Canada Elections Act's prohibition against an entity making a contribution to the campaign of a candidate.
The Commissioner has also entered into a compliance agreement with Ms. Sarah Jordison. As the campaign manager for the New Democratic Party of Canada candidate in the electoral district of Ottawa—Vanier during the by-election, Ms. Jordison accepted an illegal non-monetary contribution from the NCR Chapter-FVC on behalf of the candidate's campaign. In doing so, she contravened the prohibition against anyone other than the official agent of the candidate accepting contributions on behalf of the campaign. Ms. Jordison also circumvented the Canada Elections Act's prohibition against an entity making a contribution.
The full text of the compliance agreements is available on the Commissioner of Canada Elections' website at: www.cef-cce.ca.
Compliance agreements are voluntary and outline the terms and conditions that the Commissioner considers necessary to ensure compliance with the Canada Elections Act. These agreements may include a statement by the individual or organization (“contracting party”) admitting responsibility for the act or omission constituting the offence. The admission of responsibility does not constitute a criminal conviction by a court of law and does not create a criminal record for the contracting party. More information about compliance agreements can be found at sections 517 to 521 of the Canada Elections Act.
The Commissioner of Canada Elections is the independent officer responsible for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the Canada Elections Act and the federal Referendum Act.
For information specific to this matter:
Commissioner of Canada Elections Media Relations
819-939-2278
or by email at: communication@cef-cce.ca
Want to receive updates from the Commissioner of Canada Elections? Click here to subscribe.
Follow the Commissioner of Canada Elections on Twitter @cef_cce