Compliance Audit Committee

A compliance audit ensures that candidates in Ontario municipal elections follow the rules for campaign finances. If you think a candidate didn’t follow the rules, you can ask for an audit.

Requesting an audit of campaign finances

The committee reviews your request, and if they agree, they’ll have an auditor examine the candidate’s finances more closely. After that, they review the auditor’s report and decide if legal action is needed. They also check reports from the Clerk about contributors who might have broken financial limits and make decisions about legal steps.

Who can request an audit?

Eligible voters can request an audit if they reasonably believe a candidate or registered third party broke the campaign finance rules. Voters can do this even if the candidate hasn't filed a financial statement.

An eligible voter must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old
• A resident of Niagara Falls, an owner/tenant of land here, or the spouse of the owner/tenant.
• Not prohibited from voting by law

Application deadlines

 As per the Municipal Elections Act, applications must be made within 90 days after the latest of the following dates:

1. The filing date under section 88.30 
2. The date the candidate or third party filed a financial statement if it was filed within 30 days after the section 88.30 filing date
3. The supplementary filing date, if any, under section 88.30
4. The date on which the candidate’s extension expires, if any, under subsection 88.23(6), or the date on which the registered third party’s extension expires, if any, under subsection 88.27(3)

Apply to be a committee member

Applications for this term of council are closed.

Resources

• Municipal Elections Act – provides the rules for municipal and school board elections in Ontario