Elections Ontario says attack ads aimed at education unions in the province appear to have violated the Election Finances Act.
The ads were published in newspapers in February and accused teachers’ union leaders of using children as “pawns” in tense contract talks which led to strike action throughout the province.
The ads were published by a group called Vaughan Working Families and questions were raised by the NDP on whether or not the ads violated election spending rules because they came at a time when there were two byelections underway in Ottawa-area ridings.
The NDP also alleged supporters of the government may have purchased the ads, but didn’t provide evidence.
Global News later learned that a lawyer linked to the ads travelled to India on an Ontario government-led trade mission in 2019 and was a PC Party donor.
“The Chief Electoral Officer has therefore reported this matter to the Ministry of the Attorney General.”
If convicted, the penalty is a fine of not more than $5,000.
Premier Doug Ford was asked about the ads during a press conference Wednesday.
“I had nothing to do with that but I guess it’s at the AG’s office and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
— With files from Travis Dhanraj
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