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From YouTube: Election Compliance Audit Committee - March 10, 2020
Description
The Election Compliance Audit Committee is an arm’s length City of Ottawa Committee and does not report to Ottawa City Council. Election Compliance Audit Committee reviews applications for compliance audits of the election campaign finances of candidates and registered third-party advertisers and considers report(s) from the City Clerk and Solicitor on apparent contraventions of contribution limits.
Agendas, minutes, decisions and more information on the Election Compliance Audit Committee may be found at: http://ottawa.ca/ecac
A
The
rules
do
not
expressly
provide
for
motion
to
receive
the
communications
are
separately
listed
on
the
agenda
unless
anyone
has
a
question
or
wishes
to
make
a
comment
on
the
communications,
if
not,
the
communications
are
simply
listed
on
the
agenda
before
considering
the
audit
report,
I'd
like
to
make
a
few
brief
remarks.
At
its
July
17th
meeting,
the
committee
granted
an
application
for
a
compliance
audit
with
respect
to
candidate
Laura
doodahs.
A
As
they
usually
do,
I
repeat
that
neither
this
committee
nor
any
auditor
has
the
right
to
determine
whether
a
contravention
of
the
Act
has
in
fact
occurred
that
jurisdiction
rests
entirely
with
the
court.
The
parties
may,
if
they
wish,
make
submissions
to
the
committee
on
today's
item
and
answer
any
questions
that
members
may
have.
A
A
A
B
A
Assist
in
your
presentation,
I
think
perhaps
if
we
hear
from
the
auditor
first
so
that
you
know
what
you're,
what
you're
referring
to
I
think
you
have
a
copy
of
the
written
report.
But
if
the
auditor
has
additional
comments
he
wishes
to
make,
it
would
be
fair
for
both
we
heard
from
him
in
advance,
I'm.
Sorry,
yes,
mr.
Powell
Thank.
C
You,
mr.
chair,
so
we
fried
a
copy
of
the
report
to
the
committee
happy
to
provide
just
a
quick
summary
of
a
report.
If
that
would
be
value
or
answer
any
questions
you
might
have.
So,
yes,
we
were
appointed
to
audit
the
election
campaign,
finances
for
2018,
regular
elections,
campaign
of
Canton
for
the
DES.
There
was
a
complaint
made
in
this
file,
so
we've
summarized
our
report
and
we
summarized
are
complaining
kind
of
twofold.
First
portion
of
the
complaint
was
in
regards
to
2014
material
that
was
used
for
the
2018
campaign.
C
That
included
kind
of
three
sub
I
would
say,
elements
that
complain.
One
was
that
2014
signs
were
used
on
public
private
property
was
that
2014
campaign
material
was
used
by
volunteers,
and
the
third
was
that
2014
signs
were
used
at
the
election
party,
so
based
on
evidence
that
we
had
a
chance
to
gather
during
the
audit
on
the
first
area,
we
did
find
evidence
that
signs
were
used
on
public
and
private
property.
C
So
the
chain
of
events
that
we
were
able
to
gather
was
that
on
May,
2nd,
a
professional
video
was
produced
on
May
4.
If
the
campaign
t-shirts
were
printed
and
picked
up,
May
4th
the
nomination
and
the
candidate
happened
and
on
May
7th,
the
bank
account
was
open
again
based
on
evidence
that
was
provided
to
us.
C
Our
audit
also
covers
the
whole
of
the
contribution,
so
we
don't
just
look
at
what
was
complained
about,
but
we
looked
at
the
whole
of
the
reports.
Again,
there
was
some
more
minor
items
that
we
were
found,
one
on
in
accuracy
of
financial
statements
and
again
support
that
was
missing
for
8
receipts
that
were
expensed
into
the
finances
against
the
bow
for
those.
Given
that
we
were
lacking
some
support,
there
appears
to
be
a
non-compliance
to
the
MA.
C
D
C
Happy
to
so
on
the
last
part,
so
we
talked
about
eight
specific
items
that
were
listed
as
expenses
again
for
all
expenses.
Based
on
the
act.
We
were
looking
for
supporting
evidence
for
those
amounts.
There
were
some
evidence
provided
for
a
portion
of
these
which,
when
we
received
was
not
legible,
we
tried
to
gain
those
receipts
again.
We
we
were
not
able
to.
C
A
A
C
Yes,
so
evidence
I
was
provide
to
us.
Was
the
details
of
the
bank
account?
So
it's
a
basically
a
statement
coming
from
TD
Bank
on
that
statement.
There's
all
the
transactions
that
happen
to
one
after
the
other.
We
can
see
all
the
transactions
in
and
out
and
that
statement
comes
with
an
opening
statement
of
bank
opened
and
the
bank
open.
According
to
the
official
documents
that
we
receive
was
on
Misa.
A
C
E
F
F
Most
of
our
evidence
gathered
was
I,
guess,
based
on
interviews
that
they
were
made
aware
that
the
signs
were
erected
in
public
and
private
property.
We
did
do
some
research
online
with
regards
to
some
google
of
apps
the
exact
locations.
I
could
happily
go
back
into
our
files
later
on
and
come
back
with
the
exact
locations,
but
I
don't
have
that
on
hand
right
now,.
F
Again,
the
number
of
signs
we
couldn't
I
guess
get
evidence
of
the
total
number
of
signs.
Again.
They
could
have
been
in
other
areas
that
we
didn't
have
actually
research
showing
on
google
maps
but
again
from
interviews.
It
was
provided
that
there
were
evidence
that
there
were
signs
that
were
erected
in
public
and
private
properties
through
discussions
with
the
campaign
team.
A
F
E
F
C
Yeah
we
can
go
back
on
a
record
for
us.
We,
the
other
process,
was
more
of.
Was
there
evidence
and
knowledge
of
signs
being
used,
so
I'll
have
to
go
back,
I'm,
not
sure.
If
we
have
all
the
information
we
try
to
gather
as
much
information
as
we
can
as
a
location
and
we're
and
going
back
again
as
evidence
on
Google
Maps,
but
based
on
evidence
we
have,
which
was
more
press
coverage,
social
media
and
interviews.
C
A
C
C
Unfortunately,
no
the
candidate
did
confirm
the
interviews.
That's
in
the
team
did
confirm
that
when
they
were
made
aware
of
signs
being
used,
they
tried
to
take
them
down.
So
you
know,
as
they
were
made
aware,
they
tried
to
address
the
situation.
That
was
what
we
informed
us,
but
we
don't
have
the
detailed
information
on
exact
location,
exact
duration,.
B
You
mr.
chair
I
will
briefly
address
each
instance
of
apparent
non-compliance
and
then
speak
to
the
committee's
exercise
of
discretion
in
deciding
whether
or
not
to
commence
legal
proceedings
in
accordance
with
the
act
and
the
committee's
rules.
I'm
going
to
start
where
you
left
off
mr.
chair
with
regards
to
the
use
of
2014
campaign
signs,
just
picking
up
on
the
questions
which
you
just
had.
B
It's
quite
evident
that
this
is
the
opportunity
for
a
report
to
come
forward,
setting
out
a
case
for
you
to
move
forward
with
legal
proceedings
or
not
and
there's
no
direct
evidence
of
where
signs
were
how
many
signs
were
up,
who
erected
them,
where
they
were
erected
when
they
were
removed.
But
most
importantly
mr.
B
chair
is
is
is
what
the
auditors
conclusion
is,
and
what
is
really
relevant
here
is
that
the
evidence
is
clear
that
the
candidate
or
her
campaign
did
not
know
about
and
did
not
authorize
the
use
of
those
signs
on
public
or
private
property,
and
that,
more
importantly,
at
when
any
instance
of
such
use
came
to
the
knowledge
of
the
campaign.
The
signs
were
moved
immediately.
B
A
B
With
regards
to
the
use
of
the
signs
at
the
party,
the
evidence
is
also
clear
and
has
found
in
the
auditor's
report
that
the
candidate
had
no
prior
knowledge
that
those
signs
were
going
to
be
used
at
the
party
and
that,
more
importantly,
mr.
chair.
In
any
event,
the
signs
appeared
at
the
post
election
party
after
the
election
had
already
taken
place.
So
on
those
facts,
mr.
B
chair,
it's
it's
my
submission
that
no
conviction
would
be
entered
with
regards
to
these
items,
even
if
a
decision
were
made
to
commence
legal
proceedings
with
respect
to
the
campaign
t-shirt,
expense.
The
audit
report
states
that
the
campaign
bank
account
was
open
on
the
7th.
That
may
well
be
the
date
that
the
records
the
bank
statement
indicates,
but
in
fact
the
account
was
opened
at
on
may
the
4th.
B
After
filing
nomination
papers,
you
have
as
Appendix
one
a
copy
of
an
email
confirmation
with
the
bank
confirming
that
appointment
on
may
the
4th
that
appointment
was
to
open
the
bank
account
the
candidate
left.
The
meeting
with
temporary
account
checks,
as
well
as
a
campaign
account
debit
card.
So
as
far
as
the
campaign
was
concerned,
or
had
knowledge
of
the
account
was
opened
on,
may
the
4th
not
the
7th,
so
it
would
have
been
appropriate
for
the
candidate
or
the
campaign
to
start
incurring
expenses
at
that
date
further
and
in
any
event,
mr.
B
chair
members
of
the
committee,
the
t-shirts
at
the
campaign
launch
party
appeared
without
the
prior
knowledge
or
request
of
the
campaign
or
the
candidate.
They
were
produced
by
an
individual
who
owns
a
production
company,
promotional
printing
business
and
the
candidate
leader
learned
that
they
were
brought
by
that
person
in
hopes
that
they
she
could
convince
the
campaign
to
order
t-shirts
from
her.
So
there
was
no
campaign
or
candidate
requests
for
those
t-shirts.
They
appeared
without
her
knowledge
and
those
t-shirts
were
not
used
by
the
campaign.
They
ordered
different
t-shirts,
different
design
at
a
later
date.
B
So
again,
mr.
chair
on
these
facts,
I
submit
to
you
that
no
conviction
would
be
entered
regarding
this
item.
Regarding
the
campaign
video,
as
we
discussed
at
the
first
hearing
in
this
matter,
the
video
was
filmed
by
a
friend
of
the
candidate
as
test
footage.
Interesting
point.
As
the
candidate
has
pointed
out
to
me
in
the
video,
you
may
note
that
she
has
rather
bright
colorful
red
hair
and
which
she's
not
proud
of,
and
wasn't
never
intended
to
have
that
video
be
used
in
the
campaign.
It
was
never
intended
to
be
used.
B
It
was
test
footage
and
the
video
did
not
become
a
thing
of
value
to
the
campaign
and
that's
a
contribution
until
the
decision
was
made
after
filing
a
nomination
papers.
Two
days
later,
just
keep
in
mind
it
we're
talking
about
two
days.
In
addition,
that
decision
was
made
two
days
later
to
make
use
of
the
video
and,
of
course,
the
candidate
not
trying
to
hide
anything
not
trying
to
slide
anything
through
recorded
that
in
her
financial
statement
attributing
to
be
on
the
safe
side,
a
rather
probably
liberal
amount
as
a
contribution.
B
B
Turning
to
the
additional
matters
which
the
audited
audit
found,
which
were
not
part
of
the
original
complaint,
there's
a
reference
to
failing
to
record
a
$20
deposit
by
the
candidate
and
associated
banking
fees.
Mr.
chair
I
submit
to
you
that
if
all
candidates
statements
were
the
subject
of
the
rigors
of
such
an
audit,
instances
of
minor
errors
such
as
this
errors
in
accounting
and
reporting,
are
inevitable.
It's
an
error
of
no
consequence.
It's
a
de
minimis
error.
B
B
Finally,
the
last
item.
With
regards
to
the
failing
to
record
various
contributions,
the
audit
notes
six
instances
of
contributions
from
the
candidate
or
spouse,
which
were
not
provided
or
legible.
In
fact,
receipts
for
all
of
these
items
were
provided.
You
have
copies
of
them
now
set
out
in
Appendix,
two
included
in
there
as
the
the
chamber
of
commerce,
commerce,
receipt
and
all
of
the
other
items
that
were
missing.
B
Had
the
question
been
raised
with
the
candidate
through
the
audit
process,
the
final
discrepancy
is
with
reference
to
the
two
contributions
of
sign
metal
posts
by
the
two
individuals
noted
in
that
section.
These
contributions
relate
to
iron
rebar,
which
was
in
the
possession
of
these
two
individuals.
It
was
goods
they
already
had
had
in
their
garage
or
accessible
to
them,
and
these
were
in
fact
loaned
to
the
campaign
by
the
two
individuals
to
use
during
the
campaign.
So
there's
no
specific
invoice
amount.
B
The
candidate
in
an
effort
to
determine
an
appropriate
amount
to
include
in
the
statement,
went
to
princess,
auto
and
priced
out
the
cost
to
actually
purchase
the
same
quantity
of
rebar,
the
same
amount
of
supplies
which
are
temporarily
lent
to
the
campaign.
So
that's
where
that
number
comes
from.
There
is
no
actual
invoice
because
there
was
no
actual
statement
from
the
from
the
individuals
owning
the
equipment
and
no
specific
value
could
be
attributed
again.
She
put
in
a
liberal
high
estimate
of
the
contribution
to
be
safe.
B
B
Of
course,
it's
for
the
committee
to
exercise
its
discretion
in
determining
whether
the
apparent
instances
of
non-compliance
which
remain
unproven,
justify
the
expenditure
of
the
city's
resources,
financial
and
otherwise,
to
attempt
to
secure
a
conviction
which
would
I
respectfully
submit
result
at
most
in
a
fairly
modest
fine
being
imposed
against
the
candidate.
So
it's
that
question
of
public
interest.
It
is
also
reasonable
and
appropriate
for
this
committee
to
consider
their
principal
and
objective
of
deterrence
in
deciding
whether
to
commence
legal
proceedings.
B
In
light
of
all
the
facts,
detailed
above
the
particular
circumstances
before
you,
the
absence
of
any
intent
by
the
candidate
to
flaunt
the
requirements
of
the
Act
and
the
absence
of
actual
knowledge
regarding
the
actions
of
others,
which
form
the
basis
for
some
of
the
alleged
acts
of
non-compliance,
I
respectfully
requests
that
this
committee
exercise
its
discretion
in
deciding
not
to
commence
legal
proceedings.
Thank
You
mr.
chair.
E
E
F
D
D
F
Keep
some
of
those
as
mementos.
You
know
for
myself
and
my
family,
we
kept
several
of
them.
My
children
decorated
several
for
a
reminder.
You
know
I
know
my
husband
husband.
Strangely
enough
use
some
under
one
of
our
classic
cars
to
change
the
oil
with
we
actually
have
one
in
our
side
shed
right
now,
keeping
the
roof
from
the
raccoons,
so
I
mean
it's
coroplast.
I
didn't
want
to
just
throw
them
in
the
garbage.
F
It's
not
great
for
the
environment,
so
I
I
did
keep
a
couple
for
mementos,
but
also
for
you
surround
the
house.
None
of
them
were
in
particularly
great
condition
and
I
believe,
as
I
said
to
the
committee
in
one
of
the
previous
committee
sessions.
You
know
we
had
held
onto
several
just
for
for
momento
purposes.
D
D
F
Me
I,
misunderstood
I
know
that
in
the
instance
that
was
brought
forward
to
which
the
committee
had
been
provided,
the
photos.
That
was
a
supporter
who
had
held
onto
those
signs
and
had
kept
them
from
the
2014
and
as
soon
as
my
team
had
discovered
that
he
had
put
them
up
on
his
own
property.
We
then
went
and
asked
him
to
remove
them,
which
I
believe
I
said
at
the
previous
committee
meeting.
Okay,.
A
Mr.
Mirza
I'm
not
sure
whether
this
question
is
for
you
or
or
the
candidate
or
to
decide
who
can
best
answer
it.
But
I
was
wondering
with
respect
to
the
t-shirts
and
when
or
if
expenses
were
incurred,
with
respect
to
the
t-shirts
that
were
worn
on
the
nomination
day,
I
wonder
was
the
person
shown
in
the
auditor's
report
as
campaign
manager.
One
was
he
the
person
that.
A
F
B
A
B
A
B
B
The
2014,
the
instance
of
the
tooth
of
I,
don't
know
if
there's
any
way
of
knowing
how
long
they
were
up.
All
we
can
say
is
that,
as
soon
as
the
candidate
was
aware
that
they
were
up
that
they
were
removed,
which
is
exactly
what
I
submit
to
you,
the
spirit
and
intent
of
the
legislation
would
require.
A
F
B
A
E
E
A
C
Based
on
the
information
we
received,
I
haven't
has
to
go
through
it.
The
detail,
but
in
our
understanding
the
first
TD
letter,
as
well
as
the
first
early
in
chamber
of
commerce,
was
not
part
of
the
doc
mission
we
had
received.
The
Tim
Hortons
bills
that
are
printed
here
could
have
been
provided
through
a
USB
key.
We
had
a
chance
to
go
back
and
forth
on
the
fact
that
we
were
not
able
to
read
those
documentation,
so
this
would
be
the
first
time
we
would
see
this
clarity
of
invoices.
C
We
haven't
a
chance
to
look
at
them
in
detail,
but
that
the
Tim
Hortons
bills
do
seem
to
align
to
some
of
the
information
again,
your
Orleans
one
matches
DMR
as
well
again.
This
would
be
the
first
time
we
see
this
and
the
TD
documentation,
which
seems
to
be
an
appointment
for
a
confirm
of
an
appointment,
is
new
information
to
us,
but
again,
based
on
official
documentation
from
the
bank
and
based
on
the
bank.
They
state
a
date
at
which
the
bank
is
open.
What
was
May
seventh
in
our
record.
C
Yes,
to
answer
that
that
question
in
detail,
we
would
have
to
go
through
in
detail
those
records
I.
Would
they
we
validate
the
dates
at
the
amounts
match
him
back
to
the
contribution
to
make
sure
that
they're,
the
right
receipts
for
the
right
amounts
so
that
that
work
has
not
been
done,
but
assuming
that
the
dates,
the
amounts
and
the
description
all
match
what's
missing
in
a
report,
then
the
only
thing
missing
if
these
records
are
either
accurate,
would
be
supporting
a
documentation
for
the
metal
documents.
C
A
C
Who
are
understanding
the
first
two
documents
were
not
provided
during
the
audit.
The
last
documents
could
have
been
we.
We
did
acknowledge
that
there
were
some
documents,
provided
that
was
not
legible
for
us,
which
seems
to
be
receipts
from
his
Tim
Hortons,
and
these
receipts.
We
had
a
chance
to
go
back
and
forth
with
the
candidate
multiple
times
to
try
to
get
a
clearer
copy
of
those
documentation
and
we
were
not
able
to
obtain
them.
C
But
we
don't
deny
that
there's
multiple
steps
that
are
taken
before
opening
a
bank
account
there
needs
it
to
be
provided
information.
There
needs
to
be
exchange.
Information
between
the
bank
and
individuals.
We
as
an
auditor
go
on,
saw
the
evidence
that
we
can
gather
in
our
file,
so
we
always
get
from
the
bank's
their
position
of
when
the
bank
was
officially
opened.
According
to
our
records,
that
was
May
said.
A
C
B
A
B
A
A
E
The
auditor's
report
identifies
a
number
of
apparent
contraventions
of
the
provisions
of
the
Municipal
Elections
Act
financial
campaign
provisions.
These
apparent
contraventions
were
supported
by
the
auditors,
extensive
examination
of
documents
and
witness
introvert
interviews
listed
in
the
report.
The
apparent
contraventions
are
too
numerous
and
give
the
committee
concern
that
the
values
of
public
accountability
and
transparency
have
not
been
respected
during
mr.
das
as
campaign,
the
apparent
contraventions
of
this
number
are
inconsistent
with
the
maintenance
of
public
confidence
in
the
integrity
of
the
electoral
process.
E
The
candidate
stated
in
ignorance
of
the
various
expenses
incurred
for
her
campaigns
benefit
undercuts
the
requirement
of
candidate
accountability,
which
lies
at
the
heart
of
the
acts
election
campaign
finance
provisions.
The
committee
directs
the
city
clerk
to
work
with
the
city
solicitor
to
implement
this
decision,
including
retaining
external
external
legal
counsel
to
have
all
the
usual
power
and
authority
of
a
prosecutor
for
the
purpose
of
the
legal
proceeding.