The Donation Debate

There has been a lot in the media, both social and mainstream, about donations to municipal election campaigns.

The emphasis has been on the historically high number and value of donations that can be linked to developers and it is a common issue across the province.

Integrity is being questioned of those accepting the donations, voting on development proposals, and on those making the donations with unspecified expectations.

A number of candidates, mostly nonincumbents, have taken a stance to reject any campaign donations with direct ties to developers

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Some of those candidates though have other special interest groups already donating to their campaigns.

Integrity is very much an individual choice and action.

Incumbent Councillors have had their last election financial statements available to the public for nearly 4 years now. Few have had their 2022 election campaign donations questioned by an official complaint to the Election Audit Committees. I am not aware of any that were sanctioned for campaign donations by individuals associated with developers.

The law is pretty clear.

Donations must come from individuals, residing in the Province of Ontario, to a maximum of $1200 per candidate and $5000 per jurisdiction.

Donations to municipal election campaigns are not tax deductible.

All donations greater than $25 must be in the form of a cheque, money order, or e-transfer that shows where all donations come from.

All donations over $25 must be issued a receipt.

As a nonincumbent, campaign financing can be a difficult task.

We are limited in the amount we can self finance ($10,000)

We are subject to incumbents with sometimes huge donor lists.

We haven’t been fortunate enough to earn $500,000 of taxpayer funds in the past 4 years.

We need to work harder to gain name recognition than the incumbents who have had the advantage of exposure in City photo opportunities, press releases, and other recognition for the past 4 or more years.

Residents and taxpayers are seldom willing or able to give large campaign donations due to the already expensive property taxes they pay.

Special Interest groups, whether or developers or other groups, can affect an individual’s ability to mount an effective campaign.

It can be done through donations, advertising/promotion, campaign volunteers, or even public acknowledgements and campaign endorsements.

The question of a candidate’s integrity should not be limited to developer donations.

Campaigns that are strongly financed or influenced by special interest groups could also raise a question of integrity.

Because campaign financial statements aren’t prepared or published until after the election, this judgement of integrity and character seldom takes place during the campaign. However, the incumbent Councillors can certainly be judged by their past campaigns and financial statements that may show those alliances with special interest groups.

During the 2022 Campaign, I received $2600 in donations which offset about half of my expenses.

None of those donations were from developers. (NOTE: I am not an incumbent, and historically developers support incumbents)

This election I must claim the value of any materials used from the last election, such as signs or left over print materials. This further limits the amount I can self finance this election. Yes, it technically also saves my campaign money.

As a candidate looking to unseat an incumbent, donations are important to the quality of the campaign I can mount. The winner last election spent over $19,000 to get re-elected, more than $11,000 of which was donations, and nearly double the limit that can be self financed.

Signs aren’t cheap, and sometimes need to be replaced repeatedly.

Literature and delivery is not cheap for a Ward the size of Ward 4.

Websites, social media accounts, management and professional services can also become expensive and time consuming if not farmed out to a paid source.

If I were to be offered a campaign donation today, I would be extremely grateful.

If a donation was offered that had strings attached, I would graciously decline.

If a donation could be tied to a developer, I would have second thoughts.

I would speak directly to the donor and explain my position, and that my vote can’t be bought. I will ALWAYS vote on the merit of a project or decision and the best outcome for our City.

If a developer related donor can accept and understand that, but still feels compelled to donate to my campaign, I would accept it with the same thanks as a resident donation and with the same understanding that it will not affect my integrity or vote.

I won’t grandstand.

I won’t lie.

I won’t avoid the truth.

Donations are the lifeblood of a successful election campaign.

Whether it is $25 or $1200, every donation counts towards the finish line.

Shameless plug:

You can donate by cheque to “Jeff Davis Candidate for Council City of Oshawa”.

(I know, it is a terrible mouthful, but the fraud department at my bank insisted it had to be that way)

You can contact me to arrange a meeting to pick up that donation so I can show you how grateful I am. You can also use that opportunity to share your ideas and concerns about Oshawa’s Ward 4.

E-transfers can also be sent to info@jeff-davis.ca as long as you include your full name, address, and phone number so we can properly record your donation and issue a receipt.

Every ounce of support is appreciated!

You can also reach out to order a sign, placements can’t legally be completed until October 1.

Or you can reach out to help deliver flyers in your neighbourhood or multi residential building, organize a meet and greet with your neighbours, or just to organize a one on one discussion.

We are all in this together, and I need your ideas as well as your support to make Ward 4 a better place to live, work, and enjoy.

Jeff Davis

Candidate for Regional and City Councillor, Ward 4

August 25, 2026