Why this Sudbury, Ont. councillor's election campaign finances are being audited

An auditor is currently looking into Greater Sudbury Ward 11 councillor Bill Leduc's election campaign finances following allegations that he contravened the Municipal Elections Act.

Anastasia Rioux, a Ward 11 resident, was stopping by a gas station in Minnow Lake last September when she first saw a promotional poster for a Grandparents' day event. 

"It piqued my curiosity because there seemed to be different posters floating around for the same event," she said. 

Grandparents' day was an event held at a retirement residence in Sudbury on September 11, 2022, a few weeks before municipal elections.

"It had city dollars attached to it," said Rioux. 

"But it became evidently clear that it was an opportunity for Ward 11 councillor Bill Leduc to campaign for re-election." 

Rioux decided to bring this matter to the City of Greater Sudbury's election compliance audit committee on April 27. 

She submitted videos captured by attendees during the event showing displays of election campaign materials, such as posters and branded clothing and cars.

The footage also shows Leduc being credited for purchasing food and prizes for the event.

When questioned about this by the committee, Leduc admitted he paid for the prizes with his own personal funds. 

The cost of the items and the expenses related to the event were not recorded in his campaign's financial statement.

That omission was a mistake, according to the election compliance audit committee. 

"The committee is of the opinion that [...] the cost of the prizes donated to the Event by the [Leduc] was a campaign expense," reads an excerpt from the decision published on April 27.

"[Prizes] were used, in part, for [Leduc's] election campaign and the promotion of [his] candidacy."