Independent Quebec Candidate Found Guilty of Election Act Infraction for Failing to Nominate Replacement Official Agent
12 July 2010 | Election Finance
The Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec announced today that Katia Proulx, independent candidate in the 2008 provincial election in Jeanne-Mance-Viger was found guilty of contravening section 410 of the Election Act (Quebec) (the "Act") and was fined $500 plus costs.
According to section 410 of the Act, if the official agent dies, resigns or is unable to act, the candidate "shall forthwith appoint another such agent and notify the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the new appointment."
Ms. Proulx's official agent resigned during the campaign, and she failed to name a replacement.
Infractions of this type occur all too often with independent candidates. It is often the case that the candidates are not aware of the many rules that they must follow with respect to the administration of their campaign.
This fine is another example of why it is so important for all candidates, especially independent candidates, to have a lawyer they can call, or have someone knowledgeable about election financing on their staff in the event that a compliance issue such as this arises.