Newmarket-Aurora incumbent Dawn Gallagher Murphy is being criticized for allegedly campaigning during a charity event.
Despite no longer representing the riding as MPP since the election writ dropped, Gallagher Murphy spoke on stage at the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk Feb. 22 in Newmarket in support of the Inn From the Cold shelter. She shared the stage with dignitaries, wore campaign clothing and suggested a possible funding announcement for Inn From the Cold “after the election.”
Newmarket-Aurora Liberal candidate Chris Ballard said his campaign received numerous resident complaints, which they directed to Elections Ontario, and it is his understanding they have video and are investigating. Ballard said although it would be up to Elections Ontario to make a ruling, he believes it is a violation of its rules.
“It is absolutely inappropriate that she’s making funding announcements, promises, at a public event while wearing her election garb. She was in full election mode but was supposed to be speaking to us as an MPP,” Ballard said.
Elections Ontario is the body that addresses and investigates complaints where a citizen believes a clause of the Elections Act or the Election Finances Act has been violated.
At the event, Gallagher Murphy spoke about the election. Referencing the ongoing fundraising campaign for Inn From the Cold’s new facility on Yonge Street, Gallagher Murphy suggested more funding could be coming for that.
“I’m looking forward coming on the other side of the election, making an announcement that will help finish the funding for that Inn From the Cold. So stay tuned to that great coming announcement,” Gallagher Murphy said.
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply to a request for comment from Gallagher Murphy or the Ontario PC party before the publication deadline.
Asked whether anyone had filed a complaint with Elections Ontario, and the rules around incumbents' campaigning, Elections Ontario said it cannot comment on a situation described by a third party. A spokesperson said anyone has the option to file a complaint if they believe there has been a violation of the Elections Act or Election Finances Act.
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply to a request for comment from Inn From the Cold before the publication deadline.
Ballard said he does not fault Inn From the Cold and that the organization likely sent out an invitation to the event to Gallagher Murphy before the election campaign, with it being a snap election call. But he said an incumbent should not make appearances like they would as an MPP during a campaign. He said he declined those invitations when he campaigned in 2018 as the incumbent candidate.
“It should be up to Dawn Gallagher Murphy to have said, ‘I can’t appear, it’s just not right, I’m no longer the MPP,’” Ballard said.
Ballard, who said he was also at the event, was not invited to speak.
In response to the video, Newmarket-Aurora NDP candidate Denis Heng said it was clearly campaigning.
“The Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser should not be an event that politicians use for political gain,” Heng said. “As a sitting MPP in the previous session, I would expect that she would be aware of the difference between speaking in an official capacity and campaigning … I believe that the Newmarket-Aurora community deserves better.”
The Green Party of Ontario did not respond to a request for comment before the publication deadline.