Winta Belay - 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(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 states that the maximum total contribution that a contributor may make to a candidate for the office of mayor in the City of Toronto is $2,500. 4. Appendix A to the report (October 31, 2019) from the City Clerk identified Winta Belay as a contributor that appeared to have exceeded the $2,500 contribution limit to the election campaign of Saron Gebresellassi. Specifically, Appendix A to the report (October 31, 2019) from the City Clerk identified Winta Belay to have made two contributions of $2,275 each for a total contribution of $4,550 to the election campaign of Saron Gebresellassi. 5. The contributor and the candidate both appeared and provided information to the Committee. It was explained that only one contribution of $2,275 was made but the contribution was erroneously recorded twice. 6. For the reasons stated below, the Compliance Audit Committee has decided not to commence a legal proceeding against contributor Winta Belay for the contravention of Section 88.9 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. There was not a contravention over the contribution limit because the individual made one contribution of $2,275, which is below the contribution limit, not two contributions of $2,275. The Committee considers that it is the candidate's responsibility to monitor the contribution limits. The candidate was provided with written material by the Clerk outlining the contribution limits. Additionally, the Clerk offered multiple training sessions to candidates.