Federal Court sides with Elections Canada in dispute with Conservatives

The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that Elections Canada was correct in challenging the Conservatives reported national advertising expenses for the 2006 election. In striking down a ruling that cleared the Tories of wrongdoing for the in-and-out election financing scheme, the court has confirmed the election watchdog’s interpretation of electoral spending laws. Elections Canada contends that 67 Conservative candidates claimed local advertising expenses in a coordinated effort to exceed federal spending limits by $1-million. Conservative Senators Doug Finley and Irving Gerstein are among the four party members charged with breaking federal election laws by pooling funds from local candidates together to put them towards the 2006 national campaign.

The Globe and Mail