Candidate Financial Statements - St. Catharines Bylaw

Elections and Campaign Finance Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published May 26, 2026 Flag of Ontario

St. Catharines, Ontario maintains candidate financial statements as public records under municipal election rules. This guide explains where statements are kept, how the City Clerk handles filings and public inspection, and the steps to obtain or review a candidate's financial statement.

Where statements are filed and published

Candidates file their financial statements with the City Clerk. The City posts or makes available statements for public inspection through the clerk's office and the municipal elections information pages.[1]

  • The primary repository is the City Clerk's office; candidates deliver originals there for filing and retention.[2]
  • The City may publish statements online or provide copies on request; availability is governed by municipal election rules and records-retention practices.[1]
See the City Clerk for the official copy and inspection hours.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City Clerk enforces filing and public-access requirements in coordination with the applicable provincial Municipal Elections Act. Specific monetary fines or escalation amounts for failing to file or for filing incomplete statements are not specified on the cited municipal pages; consult the provincial statute for statutory offences and penalties.[3]

  • Enforcer: City Clerk and municipal compliance staff; complaints are handled through the Clerk's office and, where the Act applies, provincial remedies may also be available.[2]
  • Appeals/review: Appeal routes depend on the specific violation and are set out in the Municipal Elections Act or related provincial procedures; time limits for appeals are defined by statute and are not specified on the cited city pages.[3]
  • Fines and escalation: Not specified on the cited municipal pages; see the provincial Act for details on offences, maximum fines and continuing contraventions.[3]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: Orders to file, court proceedings, and compliance directives may be used where permitted by law; specific remedies are set by statute or by court order.

Applications & Forms

The City Clerk receives the official financial statements submitted by candidates. The names or numbers of provincial forms and any municipal templates are not specified on the cited city pages; candidates should contact the Clerk for the required submission format and any applicable municipal checklists.[2]

If you need a certified copy, request it from the City Clerk in advance.

How to access or request a candidate statement

  • Request inspection at the City Clerk's office during public hours; the Clerk will advise whether the file is online or must be viewed in person.[2]
  • Copies may incur reproduction fees under municipal records policies; check the Clerk's fees schedule.
  • Contact the Clerk by the official contact page for appointments, fee details and certified copies.[2]

FAQ

Who holds candidate financial statements?
The City Clerk holds and publishes candidate financial statements for St. Catharines; the Clerk is the official custodian.
Can I get a copy online?
Some statements may be posted on the City's elections pages; if not, request a copy from the City Clerk and ask about any reproduction fees.
What if a candidate fails to file?
Enforcement measures and any penalties are governed by the Municipal Elections Act and by municipal procedures; specifics are set in statute or by the Clerk's enforcement rules.

How-To

  1. Identify the candidate and election year you need the statement for.
  2. Contact the City Clerk's office to confirm whether the statement is available online or held for in-person inspection.[2]
  3. Request a copy; ask about fees and whether a certified copy is required for legal purposes.
  4. If you intend to appeal or complain about non-filing, note statutory time limits in the Municipal Elections Act and seek guidance from the Clerk early.[3]

Key Takeaways

  • Candidates file statements with the City Clerk; those statements are public records.
  • Contact the City Clerk to inspect records or request certified copies.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of St. Catharines - Elections
  2. [2] City of St. Catharines - City Clerk's Office
  3. [3] Municipal Elections Act, 1996 - Ontario e-Laws

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data