Ottawa Councillor Understated Campaign Expenses by $310.98

An independent audit has revealed that Ottawa Councillor Shawn Menard understated his campaign expenses for the 2022 municipal election by $310.98. The report, conducted by OXARO, focused on Menard’s expenditures related to campaign signs, specifically for materials such as screws, zip ties, and wooden stakes.

The audit’s findings indicate that the amount recorded in Menard’s financial statement was “inaccurate” and represented a violation of the Municipal Elections Act. Despite this discrepancy, the audit noted that it was the only inaccuracy found in Menard’s financial disclosures for the campaign.

Audit Details and Findings

The report, set to be presented to the City of Ottawa’s election compliance audit committee on September 9, 2023, does not recommend any penalties, leaving that decision to the committee. Municipal candidates are allowed to reuse leftover campaign materials but must report their current market value as campaign expenses.

According to a complaint against Menard, he failed to accurately account for all his sign-related expenditures. The complaint pointed out that he claimed more than double the number of lawn signs carried forward from his 2018 campaign. Additionally, larger signs displayed during the 2022 campaign were not reported as new expenditures, further complicating his financial reporting. The audit determined that Menard should have filed a total of $1,723.48 for signs, as opposed to the $1,412.50 he reported.

Menard admitted he was solely responsible for counting the signs from the previous election and acknowledged an error in the inventory count. The auditors also reviewed photographs of materials used and gathered pricing information—showing that a six-pack of four-foot wooden stakes costs $11, while 100 screws cost $5.98 and a 100-pack of zip ties costs $8.99. Despite claiming $100 for materials, OXARO recalculated the total value to $98.12.

Background and Implications

The audit stems from a complaint filed by Edward (Ted) Phillips, a retired executive, who initially sought an election spending audit for Menard and fellow candidate Doug Thompson. Although the election compliance audit committee initially rejected this application on July 31, 2023, a subsequent appeal led to a court order for the appointment of an auditor.

Menard has maintained that his campaign was well within the spending limit of $29,508.90. His total reported campaign expenses were $27,199.10, which, after the audit’s recalculation, amounted to $27,508.90. In his statement, Menard described the issue as a “minor clerical filing error,” asserting that all other donations, expenses, and bank statements were properly accounted for.

The audit’s findings have broader implications, particularly in light of ongoing scrutiny over campaign finance practices within Ottawa. The committee recently referred another complaint involving Horizon Ottawa to a prosecutor, concerning ineligible contributions and insufficient financial records related to their activities in the 2022 municipal election.

While the controversy surrounding Menard’s campaign finances unfolds, both he and Thompson have voiced opposition to the proposed Tewin development project near Carlsbad Springs, which has become a contentious issue in local politics.

As the situation develops, Menard indicated that he would reserve further comment until after the committee meeting on September 9. The outcome of this audit may set a precedent for future compliance in campaign financing within the city.