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Compliance Audits
The City of Burlington and the Towns of Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville are partnering to establish a Joint Compliance Audit Committee for the upcoming election term. Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Committee will consider applications from eligible electors who believe, on reasonable grounds, that a municipal election candidate or third-party advertiser has contravened a provision of the Act relating to campaign finances.
The Committee may also be required to appoint auditors and determine if legal proceedings are required as a result of the auditors’ reports, or reports from the Clerk.
Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
This Committee is required by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (the Act) to:
- Consider applications for compliance audits of the campaign finances of Candidates and/or Registered Third Parties and decide whether they should be granted or rejected. If an application is granted, appoint an Auditor to conduct a compliance audit of the Candidate’s and/or Registered Third Party’s election campaign finances
- Consider the Auditor’s report and if the report contains a conclusion of apparent contravention of the Act, decide whether to commence a legal proceeding against the Candidate and/or Registered Third Party for the apparent contravention
- Receive and consider reports from the Clerk identifying any contributors to a Candidate and/or Registered Third Party who appear to have contravened established contribution limits and decide whether to commence a legal proceeding against the contributor for the apparent contravention.
The Committee will serve for the same term as the term of office of Council, from November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030. The Committee will serve for any by-election that may take place during that time.
Join the Committee for 2026-2030
We’re seeking up to seven individuals with professional experience in accounting, auditing, academics, law, election administration and/or public administration to join the Committee.
This is a chance to apply your professional experience in ways that serve your community and support election integrity.
Preferred applicants bring:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of municipal elections, including campaign financing rules of the Municipal Elections Act
- Strong analytical and decision-making abilities
- Prior experience working on committees, administrative tribunals, task forces or similar settings
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of quasi-judicial proceedings and local government administration
- Availability and willingness to attend meetings during daytime and evening hours
- Effective communication skills
You are not eligible to serve on the Committee if you are:
- An employee or officer of a partnering municipality
- A Member of Council of a partnering municipality
- A candidate in the municipal election
- A registered third-party in a partnering municipality
To support a fair and transparent auditing process and in alignment with the Council-approved Terms of Reference for the Committee, people with a connection to a Candidate and/or a Registered Third Party for the 2026, 2022 and 2018 elections cannot be appointed to the Committee. This includes:
- A connection through a Family member
- An employment, contractual, business or partnership relationship
- Assisting the campaign of any Candidate or Registered Third Party either directly or indirectly, including providing professional advice and/or prepared financial statements for an election candidate or any third-party advertiser
Term & commitment
The Committee will be established by October 1, 2026 and continue until 2030. Following an initial meeting in early 2027, the Committee convenes as required upon receipt of applications. Meetings may be held in a hybrid format.
Each member appointed will receive a retainer of $500 for the four-year term, which includes one mandatory training session. Should a meeting of the Committee be requested, each member will be paid $300 for each meeting, plus mileage, if applicable.
Please review the Joint Compliance Audit Committee Administrative Practices and Procedures (pdf) and the Terms of Reference (pdf) for more information.
Apply today!
To apply for the Committee, please complete the application form and submit it by email to [email protected].
Apply to be a member of the Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
Applications Close: July 24, 2026
If you have any questions about joining the Committee, please email [email protected].
We thank all applicants for applying, but only the selected candidates will be contacted. Personal information and supporting material are collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Applying for a Compliance Audit
To file an application for a compliance audit request of a Candidate's and/or Registered Third Party's election campaign finances:
An elector who is entitled to vote in an election and believes on reasonable grounds that a Candidate and/or Registered Third Party has contravened a provision of the Act relating to election campaign finances is required to complete the application for Election Compliance Audit, providing reasons and supporting documentation.
- The application for a compliance audit for a Candidate and/or Registered Third Party and any supporting documentation must be filed with the Clerk at:
- Town of Halton Hills, Town Clerk, 1 Halton Hills Drive, Halton Hills, Ontario, L7G 5G2
The Act provides that an application for a compliance audit for the October 2026 election must be made within 90 days after the latest of the following dates:
The filing date under section 88.30 – Friday, March 29, 2019, by 2 p.m.
The date the Candidate and/or Registered Third Party filed a financial statement, if the statement was filed within 30 days after the March 29, 2019 filing date
The Candidate and/or Registered Third Party's supplementary filing date, if any, under section 88.30 – Friday, September 27, 2019, by 2 p.m.
- The date on whichthe Candidate and/or Registered Third Party's extension, if any, under subsection 88.23(6) or 88.27(3) expires.
Dates and details on the filing of financial statements, including grace periods and extensions, can be found on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.
Requests for audits for school board candidates must be filed with the applicable school board.
Audit process
Within 30 days after receiving the application, the Compliance Audit Committee will consider the application and determine if an audit is required or if the application is rejected.
The decision of the Committee regarding whether an audit is required or if the application is rejected may be appealed to the Ontario Court of Justice within 15 days after the decision is made.
If the Committee grants the audit, the auditor will conduct the audit to determine if the Candidate or Registered Third Party has complied with the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act with regard to election campaign finances.
The auditor will provide a report to the Clerk, the Candidate, the Registered Third Party and the Applicant.
The committee will consider the report within 30 days of receiving it and determine whether legal proceedings should be commenced against the Candidate or Registered Third Party.
Staff Report LPS44-18 – dated May 23, 2018, re: Update to the Terms of Reference for the Joint Compliance Audit Committee (Report approving the creation of the Committee)
Attachment #1 – Terms of Reference for the Joint Compliance Audit Committee (Structure of the Committee, including its mandate and requirements)
Compliance Audit Committee Meetings
- Agendas and supporting materials
- Decisions and outcomes
Decisions & Outcomes
- Approve or deny a compliance audit request
- Appoint an external auditor
- Review audit findings
- Determine whether further action is required under the Act
Legislative Authority
- Municipal Elections Act, 1996
- Eligibility to apply
- Application timelines
- Committee powers and responsibilities
- Audit and reporting requirements
Related Information
- Municipal Elections – Overview of the election process
- Candidate Resources – Guidance for candidates and campaign requirements
- Filed Nominations – List of candidates
- Council & Committees – Overview of governance