CHARLOTTETOWN – As MLAs prepare to return to historic Province House for the fall sitting of P.E.I.’s legislature next week, the governing Progressive Conservatives are facing serious questions about their political fundraising.
P.E.I. RCMP have laid 42 charges against the party’s official agent over donations made last year. The allegations include allowing donations from people who weren’t eligible to contribute, knowingly accepting amounts above legal limits, knowingly making false statements in documents filed with the chief electoral officer, and failing to meet reporting and receipt requirements.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a First Nations-First Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa on Monday, P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz appeared to downplay the allegations.
“These are administrative issues with our submissions to Elections P.E.I., and it’s before the courts now,” Lantz said, echoing comments he made to local media earlier this month.
“It’ll work itself out.”
In August, Elections P.E.I. referred irregularities involving the party’s donations to the RCMP. Police say their investigation is now complete.
“This is not something that we take lightly,” said media relations officer Cpl. Gavin Moore. “It’s important that people report if they do see irregularities and that these things can be brought to light.”
In 2025, the annual contribution limit was $3,350 per person, per party. According to CTV News calculations, seven donations allegedly exceeded their combined legal limits by more than $11,000.
Breakdown of the 42 charges of alleged offences under Election Expenses act, in plain language:
- 10 charges of allowing donations from people who weren’t permitted to contribute
- 9 charges of failing to issue required receipts or ensure they were properly completed or handled
- 8 charges of knowingly making false statements in documents filed with the chief electoral officer
- 7 charges of knowingly allowing and accepting contributions exceeding the annual donation limit
- 4 charges of failing to file required contribution records
- 3 charges of failing to record contributors’ names and addresses for donations exceeding $250
- 1 charges of failing to ensure required financial statements and the auditor’s report were filed
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Matt MacFarlane, leader of P.E.I.’s Green Party, said Lantz “should be taking some ownership.”
“This is not something where you want to blame your volunteers,” he said. “This is something where a leader should step forward and say, ‘We’ve made a mistake. We’ve done wrong. We need to do better.’”
MacFarlane pointed to the allegations of knowingly making false statements and accepting donations above legal limits.
“These are very important laws in our province to ensure an equal playing field for all parties,” he said.
In a statement sent to CTV News, the PC Party said it has co-operated fully with Elections P.E.I. throughout the process.
The party said its 2025 contributions received a clean audit from an independent auditor, who found its financial statements were accurate and in line with accounting standards.
“The matters identified by Elections PEI arose through its separate compliance review process,” the statement said.
The PC Party’s official agent is scheduled to appear in Charlottetown provincial court on Thursday.
