Former Stouffville Council Candidates Convicted of Municipal Act Offenses

Two former candidates in the 2022 Municipal Election in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville have been convicted of offences under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 32.

On May 28, 2025, Justin Altmann, Mayoral candidate, and Keith Singer, Ward 4 councillor candidate, both entered guilty pleas to the count of failing to file their financial statements following the 2022 Municipal Election, contrary to subsection 88.25(1)(a) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, at the Provincial Offences Court of the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket.

After hearing submissions, his Worship Justice of the Peace Clark registered convictions against both candidates and imposed fines of $10,000 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge on each of them.

Municipal Elections in Ontario are governed by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Its provisions establish a framework that covers everything from candidates’ nominations to the conduct of recounts, and everything else in between.

Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, all candidates for municipal office are required to file financial statements that reflect their campaign finances. The requirement is critical to maintaining confidence in our electoral process. As the Ontario Court of Appeal recognized in the decision of R. v. Del Mastro, 2017 ONCA 711, with reference to the Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2009, c.9 (the federal counterpart of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996):

By requiring reporting and auditing of campaign contributions and election expenses, the CEA ensures accountability and transparency, thereby enhancing public confidence in the fairness of the electoral process.

Transparency in campaign finance statements is fundamentally important to the maintenance of the integrity of our democracy. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 provides for significant penalties for contraventions of the Act, including, in certain circumstances, imprisonment.