Friday, May 6, 2011

Top court won't hear Tory appeal on GST rebates on election spending.

The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by the federal Conservatives over GST rebates on election spending.




The Tories wanted to appeal a ruling that had rejected an attempt by the party to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in GST refunds.



The Conservatives initially won their case in Ontario Superior Court, where they argued the refunds amounted to double-dipping.



The judge there acknowledged the effect would have been to raise the party's election expenses limit.



The Ontario Court of Appeal later sided with Elections Canada and overturned the Superior Court ruling.



The Tories have another appeal against the elections watchdog pending that involves election spending in the 2006 campaign.