Members Needed for Joint Compliance Audit Committee

Thursday, 16 April 2026 06:20

It makes sure everyone is following the rules when it comes to financing and contribution limits during elections.

OXFORD - It's municipal election year, which means a new Joint Compliance Audit Committee will be formed.

Sarah Matheson is the Director of Corporate Services and the Municipal Clerk for the Township of Blandford-Blenheim. She says the committee consists of three to seven members, and they will make sure candidates and third party advertisers are following the rules when it comes to financing and contribution limits.

"The purpose of the committee is to help ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in municipal election campaign financing."

Someone can submit a complaint to the committee, which will then decide if an auditor needs to look into it. Matheson says the auditor would dig into the finances, and bring a report back to the committee.

"If it appears that there has been a contravention to a prevision of the Municipal Elections Act related to election campaign finances, the Joint Compliance Audit Committee shall decide whether to commence any legal proceedings against the candidate or the third party advertiser."

One committee will serve all of Oxford County for the next four years.

Matheson says members should be impartial, have knowledge of municipal elections/campaign finance rules, strong decision making skills, and experience working on a committee or a task force. Those who live in Oxford County and have experience in accounting, auditing, law, election administration and public administration will be listed a preferred candidates.

Committee members can't be an employee or an officer of a municipality, a member of council or a local board, and can't be a candidate or a registered third party.

Those who are interested have until 12:00 p.m. May 8th to e-mail a resume and a summary outlining their qualifications to Matheson at smatheson@blandfordblenheim.ca. The committee must be in place by October 1st, so members will be appointed in September at the absolute latest.