Cobourg Mayor Says Donations to Councillors Were Legal Amid Public Questions

Pete Fisher
2 hours ago
• Categories: City Hall, Editor Choice, Local

Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland is responding to growing public concern over campaign donations made to members of Cobourg council during the 2022 municipal election, stressing that the contributions complied with Ontario’s municipal election rules.

In a statement released Tuesday, August 4, Cleveland said he has been “inundated” with concerns from residents following recent revelations surrounding donations made to the election campaigns of current council members.

The Mayor said much of the attention has focused on Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councillor Adam Bureau, who each received campaign contributions of $1,200 from members of the Balder family. The Balder family is behind the proposed eight-storey development on Second Street behind Victoria Hall, a project that has generated significant public debate.

Cleveland emphasized there was “nothing illegal or illicit” about the donations, noting they were disclosed on each candidate’s financial statements as required under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act.

“There is nothing in municipal law to prevent these types of donations,” Cleveland said, adding that it is up to individual members of council whether they choose to publicly discuss campaign contributions beyond filing the required financial documents.

The Mayor also pointed out that municipal councillors are generally not required to recuse themselves from voting on development applications involving campaign donors.

“To some this may be abhorrent, but it is still fully allowed,” he said.

Cleveland noted that Councillor Bureau did recuse himself from the most recent council meeting when the Balder development was before council.

The Mayor said he has no authority over councillors’ campaign finances or decisions regarding recusals, nor do municipal staff.

He encouraged residents with questions to contact the individual members of council involved in a respectful manner.

Cleveland also addressed recent discussion surrounding mayoral candidate Max LeMarchant, saying builders, developers and others connected to the development industry are legally entitled to seek municipal office.

He noted that LeMarchant was the largest individual donor by total dollar amount to five current members of council during the 2022 election, excluding Cleveland and Bureau, and said those contributions were also permitted under Ontario’s election rules.

“Mr. LeMarchant is free to support any municipal councillor through his donations that he wishes within the confines of Ontario municipal election rules,” Cleveland said. “Regardless of his profession as a builder/developer.”

The Mayor concluded by saying LeMarchant’s decisions regarding whom he supports financially in elections are his own private business, provided they comply with Ontario’s campaign finance regulations.

The statement comes amid increased public discussion about campaign financing, transparency and the relationship between elected officials and development interests in Cobourg.

Statement from Mayor

August 4th 2026

I have been inundated by concerns from residents regarding the revelations surrounding donations made to the 2022 campaigns of current Council members. Particularly those of both Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councilor Adam Bureau.
Both received, as their largest campaign contributions, $1200 dollars each from the Balder Family. (Husband and Wife). These are the developers responsible for the controversial 2nd Street, 8 storied development behind Victoria Hall.

Let me be clear that there is nothing whatsoever “illegal or illicit” as has been referenced to me numerous times over the last few days with these donations. They were disclosed on both Candidates Financial Expense Forms as is legally required. There is nothing in municipal law to prevent these types of donations. It is up to individual members of Council how, or if, they choose to disclose this information beyond their filed election finance forms.

Nor do any members of Council have to recuse themselves from voting on development matters that involve their individual doners. To some this may be abhorrent, but it is still fully allowed. It should be highlighted that Councilor Bureau recused himself at our last Council meeting regarding the 2nd Street Balder development.

As Mayor I have zero authority over these issues nor do any Town Staff.

I would suggest any concerned citizens reach out to the individual members of Council in question for any possible information you may be seeking in a respectful manner.

Also, with the recent announcement of Max LeMarchant running for Mayor, I would like to clear up many of the misconceptions I have heard in the last few days. Developers/Builders and anyone connected to these important industries are fully free to seek public office. There are no restrictions for them doing so. Also, the recent revelations of Mr. LeMarchant’s donation largess, as the largest single donor by total dollar amount in the last election to 5 of the current members of Council (Myself and Councilor Bureau excluded) is perfectly acceptable. Mr. LeMarchant is free to support any municipal Councilor through his donations that he wishes within the confines of Ontario Municipal election rules. Regardless of his profession as a Builder/Developer. Mr. LeMarchant’s choices in who and how much he gave or will be giving this election (within the rules) is his own private business.

Kindly
Lucas Cleveland

Mayor of Cobourg