By Canadian Press

Two companies forced to pay $450,000 for illegal donations to federal parties

Aug 29, 2019 | 8:53 AM

OTTAWA — Two companies have been forced to pay almost $450,000 after admitting they made illegal donations to the federal Liberals and Conservatives between 2004 and 2009.

A federal elections watchdog says a Groupe AXOR Inc. executive asked some employees and their families to make donations totalling $66,237, while also offering to reimburse them.

A similar scheme happened at Axor Experts-Conseils Inc., totalling $49,721 in donations.

Both Montreal-based companies agreed to repay the improper donations, a fine and a portion of the investigative costs for the commissioner of Canada elections, who enforces national electoral laws.

Groupe AXOR paid $248,712 and Axor Experts-Conseils Inc. paid $199,163 with the money going into federal coffers, marking the first time fines beyond the sum of the donations have been imposed since election laws were changed.

confidence agreement

B.C.'s New Democrat government and Greens finalize confidence agreement

5h ago

high-risk drinking

High-risk and spiked drinks campaign launched at Nanaimo bars

8h ago

Going for Gold

VIU Mariners women's basketball team looks to cap off one loss season with national title

9h ago

In a release, the commissioner says there was no evidence the two political parties knew the donations were illegal, and both have reimbursed the almost $116,000 in illegal donations.

The Canadian Press