Chrystia Freeland Violated Elections Act, Commissioner Finds
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland unknowingly violated the Canada Elections Act by responding to reporters’ questions at two budget-related press conferences, according to Caroline Simard, the Commissioner of Canada Elections. The findings, released on Friday, detail several contraventions and associated compliance measures.
The investigation revealed that during press conferences in June 2024, Ms. Freeland made supportive remarks regarding Leslie Church, her former chief of staff who was running as the Liberal candidate in the Toronto-St. Paul’s by-election. According to the official undertaking signed by Ms. Freeland, these comments constituted a breach of regulations.
Partisan Use of Public Resources
Myriam Croussette, a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections, explained that ministers are prohibited from using public funds or resources for partisan purposes, such as promoting a political candidate. “By doing so, she caused a portion of the expenses related to this press conference to become non-monetary contributions under the Canada Elections Act,” Croussette stated. The office received complaints prompting the investigation, but confidentiality rules prevent the disclosure of complainant identities.
The total commercial value of the events in question was determined to be $910.58, a sum that Ms. Freeland’s riding association has since reimbursed to the government. Ms. Freeland herself was not subject to any personal fines.
Additional Penalties Levied
Beyond Ms. Freeland’s undertaking, sixteen administrative monetary penalties, totaling $2,300, were issued to six other individuals. Andrew Goodridge, a former Liberal financial agent, received the largest share of these penalties – eight totaling $2,300.
Financial Irregularities in Past Campaigns
The penalties against Mr. Goodridge stem from issues related to the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. He was found to have failed to properly dispose of surplus campaign funds, transferring them to either the Liberal Party of Canada or the Beaches–East York Federal Liberal Association. Specifically, the commissioner’s office discovered discrepancies in wage agreements for campaign volunteers, with some appearing falsified and the total amount provided to volunteers exceeding the allowable gift limit by $6,491.25. Furthermore, $9,938.75 associated with these agreements was deemed ineligible.
In the 2019 election, payments made to volunteers were also deemed ineligible campaign expenses. A notice was issued in August 2021 requiring the return of $1,939, but the campaign’s bank statement did not reflect this repayment.
Erskine-Smith Responds
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, a Liberal MP since 2015, issued a statement clarifying that Mr. Goodridge did not serve as his financial agent in the 2023 leadership campaign or the 2025 election campaign. He attributed the violations to administrative errors involving payments to Young Liberal volunteers, which were initially classified as honorariums but later determined by Elections Canada to be wages or independent contracts. He emphasized that the errors were corrected and that volunteers were fully compensated for their work.
Further Reading: For more information on election finance regulations in Canada, visit the Elections Canada website.
