Muriel Cookson - A Contributor in the 2018 Municipal Election who Appears to have Contravened Contribution Limits under Section 88.9 of the Municipal Elections Act

3. Section 88.9(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 states that a contributor shall not make contributions exceeding a total of $1,200 to any one candidate in an election. 4. Attachment 1 to the report (October 22, 2019) from the City Clerk identified Muriel Cookson as a contributor that appeared to have exceeded the $1,200 contribution limit to the election campaign of Paul Cookson. Specifically, Attachment 1 to the report (October 22, 2019) from the City Clerk identified Muriel Cookson to have contributed $2,000 to the election campaign of Paul Cookson. 5. The auditor, BDO Canada LLP, explained their report, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (October 22, 2019) from the City Clerk , setting out the audit process and the findings with respect to Muriel Cookson. 6. Written submissions from both the contributor and the candidate were considered. No one appeared on this matter. 7. For the reasons stated below, the Compliance Audit Committee has decided not to commence a legal proceeding against contributor Muriel Cookson for the apparent contravention of Section 88.9 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, in the total contributions made to the campaign of Paul Cookson. There was a contravention of the contribution limit because the individual made a contribution of $2,000 which totalled more than the applicable limit but that over-contribution appears to have been an error. In addition, the contributor was remorseful and recognizes that an over-contribution was made.