The Joint Compliance Audit Committee is an independent body required by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, which considers applications for audits of Candidates and registered Third Party Advertisers campaign finances. Committees may be required to appoint, audit and determine if legal proceedings are required against Candidates, campaign contributors, or registered Third Party Advertisers for contraventions of Municipal Election campaign finance laws.
The Joint Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC) is established in York Region by these municipalities:
- Richmond Hill
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Aurora
- East Gwillimbury
- Georgina
- Newmarket
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
- King Township
The Joint Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC) reviews and considers compliance audit applications submitted by an Eligible Elector who believes that a Candidate or registered Third Party Advertiser has contravened a provision of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) relating to election campaign finances. The JCAC is also responsible for reviewing reports submitted by the Town Clerk with respect to any contributor who appears to have contravened any of the contribution limits to a Candidates’ election campaign or to a registered Third-Party Advertiser.
Compliance Audit requests related to School Board Trustee Candidates are the responsibility of the Compliance Audit Committee appointed by each school board. For more information about Compliance Audits of School Board Trustee Candidates, please contact specific School Board directly.
Bylaw and Terms of Reference
The Appointment Bylaw and Committee Terms of Reference will be available once the Committee has been established.
Joint Compliance Audit Committee Responsibilities
Members of the Committee are selected based on their knowledge of municipal elections finance rules, accounting, auditing, municipal law or public administration, along with the ability to be objective and fairly consider the evidence presented.
The JCAC is responsible for reviewing requests for Compliance Audits related to Municipal Election campaign finances arising from the 2026 Municipal Election and any By-Elections during the 2026-2030 term of Council.
The length of term for a person appointed to the Joint Compliance Audit Committee shall align with the Council term of office.
Responsibilities Include:
- Considering whether an application for a compliance audit filed by an Eligible Voter should be granted or rejected;
- Appointing an auditor, if the application is granted;
- Receiving and considering the auditors report and deciding whether legal proceedings should be commenced;
- Receiving and reviewing the report of the Town Clerk on any apparent over-contributions by contributors for Candidate and Third-Party Advertiser campaigns.