Legal proceedings moving forward against Sudbury city councillor for apparent campaign violations

The election compliance audit committee in Greater Sudbury has ruled that it will proceed with legal proceedings against city councillor Bill Leduc for apparent campaign finance violations of the Municipal Elections Act.

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“Hopefully this will allow the public to see that campaign finance rules matter and that there is a level playing field for all participants and a fair election which is the desired outcome,” said Peter McMullen, Election Compliance Audit Committee Chair.

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An audit of Leduc’s election finances by KPMG concluded that Leduc received donations that exceeded the allowable amount by $2275.00. The audit also found he didn’t pay some expenses using his campaign bank account and hosted an event billed as Grandparents Day that he partly used as a campaign event.

Leduc talked with CTV News following the committee’s decision.

Greater Sudbury Ward 11 city councillor Bill Leduc at an election compliance audit committee meeting at Tom Davies Square on July 3, 2024. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)

“I am perfectly fine with going to court over this,” he said.

“We will have our day in court I’ll bring the affidavits that will show that I haven’t contravened anything purposely. The defence is very simple that I acted in good faith.”

The outside compliance audit was ordered after the committee received a complaint from Ward 11 resident Anastasia Rioux – she had the opportunity to address the committee at the meeting and told CTV News she is elated with the decision made by the committee.

“I believe in justice,” she said.

“I think rules are rules and if we are going to follow municipal election rules then we need to follow them and if we are going to skirt the rules then we need to be held accountable on that skirting and bending.”

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The committee chair said the city clerk has been authorized to retain a private prosecutor in this matter.