Canada’s elections commissioner has determined Bill Morneau violated part of the Elections Act last summer by promoting prospective Liberal candidates leading up to the election while he was finance minister.

One of them, Anita Anand, went on to become a cabinet minister.

The watchdog says Morneau broke the law as government resources were used to the benefit of the party, but that there’s no indication he’d intended to use public funds for partisan purposes or that he was involved personally in planning the events.

Ministers are not permitted to use taxpayers’ money for partisan gain, but there are also provisions in the law that bar anyone but individuals from donating to campaigns.

Morneau, who announced his resignation as finance minister and MP, must pay a $300 fine and post the commissioner’s findings on his personal website or social media platforms.