Horizon Ottawa election spending dispute headed to court

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Ottawa’s election compliance audit committee wants to take Horizon Ottawa to court for apparently violating campaign finance rules during 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 ineligible contributions and that its financial records were insufficient.

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“As a result, Horizon Ottawa appears to have contravened the campaign finances rules established by the Municipal Election Act,” the audit found.

The application to audit Horizon‘s election expenses was filed in June 2023 by retired developer Edward (Ted) Phillips, a former Taggart executive. Phillips was represented by lawyer John Pappas at the election compliance audit committee hearing on Wednesday.

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

Horizon Ottawa argued that the purchased items weren’t actually used until after it had registered as an advertiser and that any financial oversights were inadvertent.

Pappas, however, argued the offences were serious and threatened to undermine the election. The committee agreed,

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“While intention might be a valid consideration in any eventual prosecution, it is not relevant to the committee’s task, which is to determine whether there is an apparent contravention that merits referral for legal proceedings,” the committee ruled.

Chair Timothy Cullen also noted the committee was “inquisitorial” in nature, not adversarial, and could not determine whether any violation had occurred. That will be up to the prosecutor and the court, he said.

In a statement released Thursday, Horizon Ottawa’s board of directors said the audit had been “nothing more than a fishing expedition started by someone who disagrees with Horizon Ottawa’s vision and mission.

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

“We believe that the public interest has been adequately served by the city-appointed audit and Horizon Ottawa’s explanations for its findings. There is no reason for taxpayers to bear the burden of judicial proceedings, which would serve no additional purpose, and we are disappointed with the committee’s decision that will lead to a drawn-out and expensive process.”

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