– November 10, 2011 -- The Conservative Fund Canada pleaded guilty today before the Ontario Court of Justice to charges under sections 497(1)(l) and 497(1)(q.01) of the Canada Elections Act. The Conservative Party of Canada also pleaded guilty, under section 507 of the Canada Elections Act, to two charges of being a registered party whose chief agent committed offences under section 497(1)(l) and 497(1)(q.01) of the Act.
The charges relate to incurring election expenses that exceeded the maximum allowed under the Canada Elections Act and providing a return that did not set out all expenses incurred in respect of the 39th federal election in 2006. During that election, the Conservative Fund Canada acted as the Chief Agent of the Conservative Party of Canada.
The Ontario Court of Justice sentenced the Conservative Fund Canada to a fine of $1,000 on each count. The Conservative Party of Canada was fined $25,000 on each count. These fines represent the maximum allowed under the Canada Elections Act for the offences in question.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has withdrawn Canada Elections Act charges against four individuals who were charged along with the Conservative Fund Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada: Irving Gerstein, Doug Finley, Susan Kehoe and Michael Donison. The PPSC concluded that, in view of the guilty pleas entered by the Conservative Party of Canada and the Conservative Fund Canada, the public interest no longer required a prosecution of the individuals.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is responsible for prosecuting offences under federal jurisdiction in a manner that is free of any improper influence and that respects the public interest. The PPSC is also responsible for providing prosecution-related advice to law enforcement agencies across Canada.
