Chrystia Freeland unknowingly violated the Elections Act twice in 2024, commissioner says

The Commissioner of Canada Elections says Chrystia Freeland answered questions at two government press conferences in June 2024 that the office determined became non-monetary contributions under the Canada Elections Act; her riding association repaid $910.58 and she was not required to pay a personal fine.

Former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland signed an undertaking after the Commissioner of Canada Elections concluded she breached the Canada Elections Act by answering reporters' questions at two budget-related press conferences in June 2024. The comments related to a Toronto—St. Paul's by-election and referenced Leslie Church, who had left to run as the Liberal candidate. The commissioner's office said ministers acting as government representatives must not use public funds or resources for partisan purposes. Notices of contraventions and compliance measures were posted on the commissioner's website and included other administrative monetary penalties for several people. Known details: - The commissioner named is Caroline Simard and a spokesperson, Myriam Croussette, said the press conferences were government events and a portion of their costs became non-monetary contributions under the Elections Act. - The undertaking recorded that the commercial value of the events was $910.58, and that amount was repaid to the government by Ms. Freeland's riding association last month. - Ms. Freeland was not required to pay a personal fine for the two contraventions, according to the posted documents. - The commissioner's postings also listed 16 administrative monetary penalties against six people; a former Liberal financial agent, Andrew Goodridge, received eight penalties totalling $2,300. - The office said some findings about campaign bookkeeping and payments involved surplus funds not being properly disposed of and payments to volunteers that were later reclassified by Elections Canada. Summary: The commissioner's office announced formal notices and compliance measures after reviewing the press conferences and related campaign records, and a repayment was made to address the event costs. Undetermined at this time.