Ottawa election spending dispute goes to court

Ottawa's electoral compliance audit committee wants to take Horizon Ottawa to court for allegedly violating campaign finance rules in the 2022 municipal election.

The committee voted 3-1 to refer the matter to a prosecutor after an independent auditor found that Horizon Ottawa, which registered as a third-party advertiser for the election, collected inadmissible contributions and that its financial records were insufficient.

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"As a result, Horizon Ottawa appears to have contravened the campaign financing rules established by the Municipal Elections Act," the audit found.

The verification requestHorizon's election expenseswas filed in June 2023 by retired developer Edward (Ted) Phillips, a former Taggart executive. Phillips was represented by attorney John Pappas at the Election Compliance Audit Committee hearing Wednesday.

At issue were several expenses related to a September 2022 pre-election rally, HorizonFest, that were incurred before Horizon Ottawa registered as a third-party advertiser a few weeks earlier, on August 24. They included three $517.24 phone bills, a $300 liquor license for the event, and an $80 tarp purchased a few days before the organization registered. A jar at HorizonFest raised an additional $448.15 in donations.

Horizon Ottawa argued that the items purchased were not actually used until after it registered as an advertiser and that any financial oversight was unintentional.

Pappas, however, argued that the violations were serious and threatened to compromise the election. The committee agreed,

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"While intent may be a valid consideration in any potential prosecution, it is not relevant to the committee's task of determining whether there is an apparent violation that merits a referral to court," the committee ruled.

Chairman Timothy Cullen also noted that the committee was "inquisitorial," not adversarial, and could not determine whether any violations occurred. He said that would be up to the prosecutor and the court.

In a statement released Thursday, Horizon Ottawa's board of directors said the audit was "notnothing more than a fishing expedition launched by someone who does not agree with the vision and mission of Horizon Ottawa.

“This process should not be weaponized by the wealthy and well-connected in our city as a means to interfere with legitimate, transparent democratic participation.

“We believe the public interest has been adequately served by the audit appointed by the city and Horizon Ottawa's explanations for its findings. There is no reason why taxpayers should bear the burden of a legal proceeding.,which would be of no use for anything else, and we are disappointed with the committee's decision which will lead to a long and costly process."

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