N.S. MP Jaime Battiste fined $600 for 2019 election violations

Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste has been fined $600 for 2019 election violations.

MP Jaime Battiste, who represents the Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish riding in Nova Scotia, has been fined $600 for four violations related to the 2019 federal election.

The Commissioner of Canada Elections said Battiste, who ran in the Sydney-Victoria riding for the Liberal Party in 2019, violated sections of the Canada Elections Act. The violations were related to spending and contributions.

The Commissioner said individuals could make annual contributions of $1,600 in 2019, and nomination contestants could contribute an extra $1,000 to their campaigns. However, Battiste pitched in $4,051 to his campaign, exceeding his limit by more than $1,400.

Battiste was fined $200 for this violation.

The Commissioner noted only the financial agent of a nomination contestant can accept contributions or borrow money on the candidate’s behalf, but a 2023 interview with Battiste confirmed he accepted campaign contributions and e-transfers totalling $8,051 to his personal bank account. This amount was then transferred to his nomination contest account.

Battiste received a $100 fine for this violation. The initial fine was $300 but the Commissioner noted Battiste’s cooperation as a mitigating factor

The Commissioner said Battiste paid several expenses for his campaign using his personal credit card, totalling $722.66. The Canada Elections Act only allows for a contestant’s financial agent to pay for campaign expenses.

Battiste was fined $100 for this violation.

The Commissioner said Battiste was required to send a declaration to his financial agent that confirmed his campaign return and other documents were complete and accurate. An investigation determined the declaration contained “false and misleading information” as it inaccurately represented the incurred expenses.

According to the Commissioner, the return reported contributions totalling $8,201, but a total of $9,701 in contributions were deposited in Battiste’s campaign account.

Battiste was fined $200 for this violation.

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