OTTAWA — The Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections has imposed four fines amounting to $4,500 against William Healy, an accountant who functioned as an agent for the Conservative Party. These fines were levied due to several violations related to his responsibilities in political financing.
The commissioner’s office specified that the fines were increased, with some being doubled or tripled, because Healy exhibited evidence of intent or negligence in his actions. An aggravating factor in this case was Healy’s professional background; being a seasoned accountant with significant experience in political financing, he has served as an official agent in over 100 electoral campaigns from 2004 to 2021.
Two of the imposed fines pertain specifically to Healy’s role as the official agent of Jay Shin, the Conservative candidate for Burnaby South during the 2019 federal election. Healy faced penalties for failing to pay a claim and failing to provide an updated statement of claims related to 12 outstanding claims totaling $9,080. The commissioner emphasized that Healy has a documented history of non-compliance regarding similar rules, which likely contributed to the severity of the penalties.
Additionally, Healy was fined for not returning contributions in a timely manner that exceeded the legal maximum. This violation occurred while he was serving as the financial agent for both the Victoria Conservative Association and the Port Moody-Coquitlam Conservative Association. The specific details highlighting these violations underline a pattern of non-conformance with regulations governing political financing practices in Canada.
The Canadian Press has made attempts to contact the Conservative Party and the affected riding associations for their comments on the situation, but has yet to receive a response. The fines issued to Healy are part of a broader trend, as the elections commissioner’s office announced that 11 fines were issued to various individuals and organizations in July alone, bringing the total number of fines for the year 2025 to 42. Importantly, Healy's fines were formally issued in March of that year.
This case exemplifies ongoing efforts by the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections to enforce compliance with electoral financing laws and maintain the integrity of the political process in Canada. As violations in this area can significantly impact the transparency of financial contributions during elections, the actions taken against Healy underscore the responsibility of agents and parties to adhere strictly to regulatory requirements.
In light of these developments, it remains crucial for political agents and parties to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with election regulations and to avoid penalties that can arise from neglecting financial obligations. The consequences of inaction could not only lead to fines but also jeopardize the integrity of electoral processes.
