Hamilton police investigating PC nomination meeting

Candidates launch complaint about Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas

Hamilton police are investigating a Progressive Conservative nomination meeting marred by allegations of ballot box stuffing.

Ben Levitt was declared the winner of the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas nomination meeting on May 7, but it was challenged by two would-be candidates. They allege the process was tainted by fraud and say the result should be overturned.

Hamilton police said Wednesday they had received a complaint from a participant in the nomination meeting, which was held at the Ancaster high school.

“A concern was raised regarding the process used to select the candidate,” police said in a statement. “Hamilton Police Service is currently reviewing information obtained and a determination will be made whether the investigation will be continued by Hamilton Police or forwarded on to another Investigative Agency.”

Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas candidate Vikram Singh is taking the party to court seeking to have nomination results overturned. Candidate Jeff Peller has also appealed the results and filed for a judicial review.

The allegations in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas are among several Progressive Conservative nomination results being questioned by party members. In response, party leader Patrick Brown brought in PricewaterhouseCoopers auditors to oversee party nominations. Brown’s office had no comment about the investigation.

Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin will be acclaimed as his party’s candidate at an August 14 meeting.