Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee

THAT the minutes of the August 2, 2023 MECAC meeting be adopted as presented.

THAT, pursuant to subsection 88.33 (5.1) of the Municipal Elections Act, the Committee convenes in a meeting at 2:24 p.m. closed to the public to deliberate on the auditor's report.

THAT this closed meeting now adjourn at 3:45 p.m. and reconvene in open session.

THAT the October 20, 2023 decision of the committee be adopted.

The Committee resolves as follows: 1. THAT the Committee hereby authorizes the commencement of legal proceedings by the laying of charges against Shelley Ann Bentley under the Municipal Elections Act; 2. THAT the Committee shall select a lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to be retained to conduct the prosecution in a timely manner and shall have the normal powers of a prosecutor; and 3. THAT the charges to be laid shall be those for which reasonable and probable grounds exist for believing that an offence has been committed, as may be determined in the legal opinion of the prosecutor.

THAT the Auditor's Report Re: Municipal Election Compliance Audit of the Campaign Finances of Candidate Shelley Ann Bentley, dated October 4, 2023, be received.

THAT the written submissions of the candidate Shelley Ann Bentley, dated October 18, 2023, be received.

THAT this meeting is now adjourned at 3:56 p.m.