Municipal Elections Act limits how much money can be donated to a politician

In order to ensure fairness in elections, the Government of Ontario through the Municipal Elections Act mandates how much money can be raised or donated.

Section 89.1(4) of the Act states:

"A contributor shall not make contributions exceeding a total of $5,000 to two or more candidates for office on the same council or local board. 2016, c. 15. s. 51."

Using Snap Newspaper's Queen St. head office as his address, Snap CEO Paul Dutton made the following donations to members of Newmarket Council:

Council Member Amount

1. John Taylor $500

2. Jane Twinney $500

3. Tom Vegh $500

4. Joe Sponga $500

5. Kelly Broome $500

6. Bob Kwapis $200

At this time, the public does not know how much was spent to produce the 9,291 attack ad pamphlets under the "Newmarket Town Hall Watch" moniker nor the amount of money Tip Top Bindery charged to Snap Newspaper to mail these pamphlets via Canada Post. Although it is not unreasonable to estimate that the printing, handling and postage costs exceeded $2,300.

According to the Town of Newmarket web site, any Ward 5 elector can ask the Town of Newmarket to call the Audit Committee to consider whether Snap Newspaper/ Paul Dutton complied with the Municipal Elections Act.

The Town of Newmarket Bulletin contacted Snap Newspaper Group and asked for comment but did not receive a reply.