Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland is responding to questions from residents regarding campaign donations made during the 2022 municipal election, including contributions from local developers to current members of council.
In a statement, Cleveland said he has received numerous concerns from residents about donations made to the campaigns of Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councillor Adam Bureau.
Cleveland said both councillors received $1,200 campaign contributions from the Balder family, which he identified as the developers responsible for the proposed eight-storey development on 2nd Street behind Victoria Hall.
The mayor stressed that the donations were properly disclosed on candidate financial statements, as required under Ontario’s municipal election rules, and said there is nothing illegal or improper about the contributions.
“There is nothing whatsoever ‘illegal or illicit’ as has been referenced to me numerous times over the last few days with these donations,” Cleveland said.
He added that municipal law does not require councillors to recuse themselves from development matters involving campaign donors, although he noted Councillor Bureau recused himself during the most recent council discussion regarding the 2nd Street development.
Cleveland said neither the mayor’s office nor municipal staff have authority over campaign donation rules and encouraged residents with questions to contact individual council members directly.
The mayor also addressed recent discussions following Max LeMarchant’s announcement that he will run for mayor. Cleveland said developers and builders are permitted to seek public office and make campaign contributions within the limits established by Ontario’s municipal election rules.
