Audit finds Horizon Ottawa apparently violated campaign finance rules during 2022 municipal election
CTV
An election compliance audit into campaign spending of third-party advertiser Horizon Ottawa has found the organization appears to have violated campaign finance rules during the 2022 Ottawa municipal elections.
An election compliance audit into campaign spending of third-party advertiser Horizon Ottawa has found the organization appears to have violated campaign finance rules during the 2022 Ottawa municipal elections.
The audit, released on Tuesday, was ordered by the city of Ottawa's Election Compliance Audit Committee in July 2023 and conducted by BDO Canada LLP. The audit was called following a complaint accusing the group of benefiting from an event called "Horizonfest" in September 2022.
The audit period under examination related to Horizon Ottawa's spending between Aug. 24 2022, when the organization registered as a third party advertiser, to Jan. 3, 2023.
Auditors found Horizon Ottawa appears to have contravened three campaign finance rules under the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) relating to expenses incurred outside of the allowable campaign finance period and the collection of ineligible donations, which were not returned to the city.
In addition, the audit found Horizon Ottawa's financial records "did not appear to be appropriately maintained and processes for maintaining advertising campaign records were insufficient."
"As a result, Horizon Ottawa appears to have contravened the campaign finances rules established by the MEA," the audit said.
In a statement to CTV News, Horizon Ottawa said it has reviewed the report and intends to defend itself.
