Sudbury Councillor Ordered to Pay $63,000 in Court Costs
On January 6, 2026, in Leduc v. Rioux, 2026 ONSC 92, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed lawsuits brought by Greater Sudbury Ward 11 Councillor Bill Leduc against a private citizen, Anastasia Rioux, and the City of Greater Sudbury’s Election Compliance Audit Committee, a quasi-judicial body responsible for the enforcement of election campaign finance rules. The lawsuits arose after Rioux requested a compliance audit of Leduc’s 2022 Municipal Election campaign finances under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, which identified apparent contraventions of the campaign finances rules and led the Committee to authorize legal proceedings against Leduc.
Justice Patrick J. Boucher granted the Committee’s motion to dismiss the claim against it, finding the Committee was immune from civil liability as a quasi-judicial body. Justice Boucher also found Rioux’s comments were in the public interest and protected by anti-SLAPP legislation, privilege and fair comment. Leduc was ordered to pay $33,055.63 to Rioux and $30,000 to the City of Greater Sudbury, for total costs of more than $63,000.
Aird & Berlis represented the City of Greater Sudbury, led by John George Pappas (Municipal & Land Use Planning).
-
BioFull bio
John’s passion for municipal law and strong research and analytical skills make him a valued team member when attacking complex legal problems.
