‘Voters have short memories’: delayed elections commissioner report puts damper on accountability, says political scientist Alex Marland

A former cabinet minister's Elections Act misfire may create a minor chilling effect on politicians answering questions during byelections, but ignorance of elections rules is not a strong defence, says former CBC journo Hannah Thibedeau.

Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland's riding association was recently forced to pay more than $900 for comments she made in favour of her party's candidate during a pair of Government of Canada press conferences held during a 2024 Toronto byelection.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

News

BY STUART BENSON

February 25, 2026

The length of time it took for the Commissioner of Canada Elections to publish its enforcement report on former minister Chrystia Freeland’s campaign contribution violation during the 2024 Toronto–St. Paul’s byelection has limited the only political consequences that r...

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