OTTAWA — The Ontario Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court ruling that gave the federal Conservatives a victory in a dispute with Elections Canada over campaign financing.
The party immediately vowed to appeal the unanimous ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada.
The dispute revolves around the Conservative party's handling of GST rebates from the Canada Revenue Agency on supplies and services it purchased during the 2004 and 2006 elections.
The party, which qualifies for GST rebates because it is a non-profit entity, sought to change its spending reports for those two elections. It wanted Elections Canada to take the almost $600,000 in rebates and reduce its expenses by that amount.
When Elections Canada rejected the idea, the Tories took the agency to court.
The lower court ruled last January in favour of the party — even though it agreed the effect would be to raise the party's election-spending limits.
The three-member Ontario Court of Appeal ruled the lower court's ruling ran contrary to the intent of the Canada Elections Act to provide a "level playing field" to all political parties wanting to have their messages heard.
Elections Canada had argued that adopting the Conservative accounting method would have the effect of unevenly raising limits on parties' campaign spending.
The agency said the appeal court's ruling "confirms" its interpretation of the federal elections law.
"The decision preserves the integrity of the political-financing regime, which ensures fairness in the electoral system by establishing a level playing field among electoral competitors," Elections Canada spokeswoman Diane Benson said in a statement.
A Conservative party spokesman, however, denounced the ruling as "an outrage to Canadian taxpayers."
The latest legal ruling effectively authorizes the practice of political parties "double-dipping" at the expense of Canadian taxpayers, said Fred DeLorey.
"The entire rebate that the Conservative party has received is being held in trust, so we don't have the use of it and we look forward to returning this money to the taxpayers once our further appeal is determined," he said in an email.
The Conservative party and Elections Canada are also embroiled in two other ongoing court actions.
The Tories filed a dispute last week in Quebec Superior Court that challenges the agency's position that the party did not properly report campaign expenses in 2006 for offices in Montreal and Quebec.
The two groups also are engaged in an court battle over Election Canada's contention that the Conservative party improperly reported national advertising expenses for the 2006 campaign. The agency refused to recognize advertising expenses claimed by 67 Conservative candidates on the grounds they were actually incurred by the party, meaning they should've been filed under its national campaign expense report.
Elections Canada alleges the Conservatives engaged in a so-called "in-and-out" scheme, directing money to local candidates who then transferred the funds back to the party to be spent on more national advertising.
Read more: http://www.canada.com/news/Tories+fight+court+ruling+election+financing/4010800/story.html#ixzz18ogRfz9f
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Personal emails stored on workplace computers are not covered by access to information laws, an Ontario judge has ruled.
Personal emails stored on workplace computers are not covered by access to information laws, an Ontario judge has ruled.
In overturning a decision of the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, which granted an Ottawa resident access to the personal emails of a city solicitor, Madame Justice Anne Molloy said the purpose of Ontario’s access to information laws is not to provide unfettered access to any document within a government office, but rather “to enhance democratic values by providing its citizens with access to government information.”
“It can be confidently predicted that any government employee who works in an office setting will have stored, somewhere in that office, documents that have nothing whatsoever to do with his or her job, but which are purely personal in nature,” the judge wrote.
The case arose from a 2007 request by John Dunn to the City of Ottawa for all emails sent by the executive director of the Children’s Aid Society to various CAS personnel, including Rick O’Connor, since February of that year.
Mr. O’Connor, the judgment says, volunteers as a board member with CAS, and his position there is entirely unrelated to his job as city solicitor. He kept correspondence relating to the CAS in a separate folder on the city’s email server.
Ontario law states that residents may access records “under the control” of public institutions, with certain exceptions. Judge Molloy decided the City of Ottawa did not have “control” of the files.
“The Children’s Aid Society is not an agency subject to freedom of information legislation,” she wrote. “Mr. O’Connor, in his personal capacity, is also not subject to having his personal documents seized and passed over to any member of the public who requests them.”
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Judge+rules+personal+emails+work+computers+made+public/4005861/story.html#ixzz18ikdwtVt
In overturning a decision of the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, which granted an Ottawa resident access to the personal emails of a city solicitor, Madame Justice Anne Molloy said the purpose of Ontario’s access to information laws is not to provide unfettered access to any document within a government office, but rather “to enhance democratic values by providing its citizens with access to government information.”
“It can be confidently predicted that any government employee who works in an office setting will have stored, somewhere in that office, documents that have nothing whatsoever to do with his or her job, but which are purely personal in nature,” the judge wrote.
The case arose from a 2007 request by John Dunn to the City of Ottawa for all emails sent by the executive director of the Children’s Aid Society to various CAS personnel, including Rick O’Connor, since February of that year.
Mr. O’Connor, the judgment says, volunteers as a board member with CAS, and his position there is entirely unrelated to his job as city solicitor. He kept correspondence relating to the CAS in a separate folder on the city’s email server.
Ontario law states that residents may access records “under the control” of public institutions, with certain exceptions. Judge Molloy decided the City of Ottawa did not have “control” of the files.
“The Children’s Aid Society is not an agency subject to freedom of information legislation,” she wrote. “Mr. O’Connor, in his personal capacity, is also not subject to having his personal documents seized and passed over to any member of the public who requests them.”
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Judge+rules+personal+emails+work+computers+made+public/4005861/story.html#ixzz18ikdwtVt
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tories soft on health care, pensions.
OTTAWA — The Harper government is convincing a majority of Canadians that it has a solid record on job-creation and crime prevention but its performance on social programs such as health care and pensions is less impressive, according to a new poll.
The nationwide Ipsos Reid survey conducted this month for Postmedia News and Global TV provides a glimpse into how Canadians are rating the federal government on a wide range of key issues.
The pollster said Canadians are giving “mixed reviews” to the government.
There is strong support for the government’s record on the military and Afghanistan, despite the recent controversial decision to keep nearly 1,000 troops in that country for another three years to train Afghans.
Similarly, after a year in which Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted the G8 and G20 leaders but lost a bid for a Canadian seat on the United Nations Security Council, Canadians give strong marks to how his government is enhancing this country’s international reputation.
However, Canadians are roughly split on whether the Tories are doing enough in areas such as climate change, human-smuggling, democratic reform and an elected Senate.
The results may explain why the major political contenders are shaping their main messages for the next election to emphasize their own strengths.
Harper’s governing Conservatives have been touting their record on the economy and have been highlighting their law-and-order bills.
The Liberals, led by Michael Ignatieff, have been emphasizing the Tories’ weakness on social programs and have begun making pledges to fill that gap.
In recent days, as Parliament adjourned for a six-week break, speculation increased about a spring election. Harper flatly said he won’t call, or provoke, an election, but Ignatieff was coy about whether his party would support the next budget or try, with other opposition parties, to defeat the government and spark a campaign.
Ipsos Reid president Darrell Bricker said the Conservatives are well positioned because, for now at least, the most important issues for Canadians in the wake of the global recession are economic.
“Canadians are sitting back right now and looking at their economy and saying ‘We dodged a bullet. We came out of this not too bad.’ Does the government get some credit for that? Yes, I think it does.”
At the same time, said Bricker, it’s clear that over the next year health care will re-emerge as a growing issue of importance for Canadians.
“People aren’t necessarily worried about health care today, but health care in the future. And that’s going to be a big challenge.”
For its survey, Ipsos Reid asked Canadians if they thought the federal government was “getting things done” on various issues.
Here are the areas where a majority think the government is getting things done:
• Job creation: (63 per cent);
• Crime (67 per cent);
• Bolstering the military (73 per cent);
• Afghanistan (71 per cent);
• Enhancing Canada’s reputation in the world (64 per cent); and
• Veterans affairs (56 per cent).
However, there are some other issues where a majority of Canadians think the government is “not getting anything done.” They are:
• Strengthening the pension system (59 per cent);
• Improving the health care system (55 per cent);
• An elected Senate (53 per cent);
• Human-smuggling (52 per cent);
• Democratic reform in the House of Commons (52 per cent);
• Climate change (51 per cent); and
• Helping the elderly (51 per cent).
For its survey, Ipsos Reid conducted a poll Dec 9-14 of 1,044 adults from an online panel.
The survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Read more: http://www.canada.com/business/Tories+strong+jobs+crime+military+soft+health+care+pensions+poll/4001202/story.html#ixzz18cqy7HGW
The nationwide Ipsos Reid survey conducted this month for Postmedia News and Global TV provides a glimpse into how Canadians are rating the federal government on a wide range of key issues.
The pollster said Canadians are giving “mixed reviews” to the government.
There is strong support for the government’s record on the military and Afghanistan, despite the recent controversial decision to keep nearly 1,000 troops in that country for another three years to train Afghans.
Similarly, after a year in which Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted the G8 and G20 leaders but lost a bid for a Canadian seat on the United Nations Security Council, Canadians give strong marks to how his government is enhancing this country’s international reputation.
However, Canadians are roughly split on whether the Tories are doing enough in areas such as climate change, human-smuggling, democratic reform and an elected Senate.
The results may explain why the major political contenders are shaping their main messages for the next election to emphasize their own strengths.
Harper’s governing Conservatives have been touting their record on the economy and have been highlighting their law-and-order bills.
The Liberals, led by Michael Ignatieff, have been emphasizing the Tories’ weakness on social programs and have begun making pledges to fill that gap.
In recent days, as Parliament adjourned for a six-week break, speculation increased about a spring election. Harper flatly said he won’t call, or provoke, an election, but Ignatieff was coy about whether his party would support the next budget or try, with other opposition parties, to defeat the government and spark a campaign.
Ipsos Reid president Darrell Bricker said the Conservatives are well positioned because, for now at least, the most important issues for Canadians in the wake of the global recession are economic.
“Canadians are sitting back right now and looking at their economy and saying ‘We dodged a bullet. We came out of this not too bad.’ Does the government get some credit for that? Yes, I think it does.”
At the same time, said Bricker, it’s clear that over the next year health care will re-emerge as a growing issue of importance for Canadians.
“People aren’t necessarily worried about health care today, but health care in the future. And that’s going to be a big challenge.”
For its survey, Ipsos Reid asked Canadians if they thought the federal government was “getting things done” on various issues.
Here are the areas where a majority think the government is getting things done:
• Job creation: (63 per cent);
• Crime (67 per cent);
• Bolstering the military (73 per cent);
• Afghanistan (71 per cent);
• Enhancing Canada’s reputation in the world (64 per cent); and
• Veterans affairs (56 per cent).
However, there are some other issues where a majority of Canadians think the government is “not getting anything done.” They are:
• Strengthening the pension system (59 per cent);
• Improving the health care system (55 per cent);
• An elected Senate (53 per cent);
• Human-smuggling (52 per cent);
• Democratic reform in the House of Commons (52 per cent);
• Climate change (51 per cent); and
• Helping the elderly (51 per cent).
For its survey, Ipsos Reid conducted a poll Dec 9-14 of 1,044 adults from an online panel.
The survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Read more: http://www.canada.com/business/Tories+strong+jobs+crime+military+soft+health+care+pensions+poll/4001202/story.html#ixzz18cqy7HGW
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Canadian soldier dies in Kandahar : Canadian soldier died Saturday when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Canadian soldier died Saturday when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Cpl. Steve Martin, 24, was a member of the Royal 22nd Regiment from the Canadian Forces base in Valcartier, Que.
He had recently arrived in Afghanistan to conduct security operations in Panjwaii.
The last Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan was Cpl. Brian Pinksen, 21, who died in August when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol southwest of Kandahar.
Since 2002, 154 members of the Canadian Forces have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission.
Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/12/18/soldier-canadian.html?ref=rss#socialcomments#ixzz18X51jTTF
Cpl. Steve Martin, 24, was a member of the Royal 22nd Regiment from the Canadian Forces base in Valcartier, Que.
He had recently arrived in Afghanistan to conduct security operations in Panjwaii.
The last Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan was Cpl. Brian Pinksen, 21, who died in August when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol southwest of Kandahar.
Since 2002, 154 members of the Canadian Forces have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission.
Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/12/18/soldier-canadian.html?ref=rss#socialcomments#ixzz18X51jTTF
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has categorically denied he plans to call — or provoke — an early election.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has categorically denied he plans to call — or provoke — an early election.
Mr. Harper made the pledge in a taped interview with CTV News, to be broadcast on Christmas Day.
A brief clip released by the network Friday showed Harper being pressed on speculation that Canadians could be going to the polls early in 2011.
Mr. Harper insisted that if this happens, it will be because the opposition parties defeat the government in the House of Commons, thereby sparking a campaign.
“I’m not going to cause an election,” Mr. Harper said
“I’m not going to call an election. And we’re not bringing forward some kind of poison pill to provoke an election. We are committed to governing. We don’t need an election. We’re in a fragile global recovery. Canada is in a very good position for the long term but we need to stay focused on that and not screw around with a bunch of political games.”
The prime minister’s comments offer the clearest sign yet that he does not intend to take advantage of his party’s increasing popularity by plunging Canadians into a spring campaign. A recent poll by Ipsos Reid found that Harper’s Tories have opened up a 10-point lead over their nearest rivals, with 39% of Canadians saying they would vote for the Conservatives and 29% saying they would support Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals.
In media interviews this week as the House of Commons adjourned for a six-week break, Ignatieff was coy about whether he would try with other opposition parties to defeat the government over the budget, but stressed that his party is ready for an election in 2011.
In the interview with CTV, Mr. Harper insisted it’s the opposition parties that need to be asked about the possibility of an election next year.
“They’re the guys who keep threatening it,” said Mr. Harper.
“I think Canadians understand it’s not the time for political games. We’re focused on the economy. It’s a very challenging situation globally. We’re doing relatively well but we could throw that away with the wrong decisions.”
Mr. Harper also flatly dismissed recent speculation that the government plans to prorogue Parliament instead of returning as scheduled on Jan 31. He said his government has a “forward-looking agenda,” and he confirmed that he will shuffle his cabinet in early January.
But he said he only has a “couple of outstanding holes to fill”(created in part, by the resignation of former Environment Minister Jim Prentice) and that the shuffle will not be extensive.
“By and large, I am happy with my team. They work hard, they know their files, they work with integrity and so they will be leading us forward.”
Mr. Harper said his government will table a budget which is focused on the economy, job creation, and the gradual elimination of the deficit. He said that while Canada is in the red, its deficit levels are only a fraction of those in other countries.
He promised that his government will not reduce the deficit through “deep, slash and burn” cuts, particularly in areas such as health and education.
“But obviously we’ve got to make sure our spending is in priority areas and it’s not growing. And if we do that in the next few years, we should see enough economic growth to close that deficit gap. That’s what we need to do in Canada. It’s not a matter of dramatic, draconian cuts but it will be a matter of discipline over some period of time.”
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Harper+promises+cause+election/3995997/story.html#ixzz18RGBevUA
Mr. Harper made the pledge in a taped interview with CTV News, to be broadcast on Christmas Day.
A brief clip released by the network Friday showed Harper being pressed on speculation that Canadians could be going to the polls early in 2011.
Mr. Harper insisted that if this happens, it will be because the opposition parties defeat the government in the House of Commons, thereby sparking a campaign.
“I’m not going to cause an election,” Mr. Harper said
“I’m not going to call an election. And we’re not bringing forward some kind of poison pill to provoke an election. We are committed to governing. We don’t need an election. We’re in a fragile global recovery. Canada is in a very good position for the long term but we need to stay focused on that and not screw around with a bunch of political games.”
The prime minister’s comments offer the clearest sign yet that he does not intend to take advantage of his party’s increasing popularity by plunging Canadians into a spring campaign. A recent poll by Ipsos Reid found that Harper’s Tories have opened up a 10-point lead over their nearest rivals, with 39% of Canadians saying they would vote for the Conservatives and 29% saying they would support Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals.
In media interviews this week as the House of Commons adjourned for a six-week break, Ignatieff was coy about whether he would try with other opposition parties to defeat the government over the budget, but stressed that his party is ready for an election in 2011.
In the interview with CTV, Mr. Harper insisted it’s the opposition parties that need to be asked about the possibility of an election next year.
“They’re the guys who keep threatening it,” said Mr. Harper.
“I think Canadians understand it’s not the time for political games. We’re focused on the economy. It’s a very challenging situation globally. We’re doing relatively well but we could throw that away with the wrong decisions.”
Mr. Harper also flatly dismissed recent speculation that the government plans to prorogue Parliament instead of returning as scheduled on Jan 31. He said his government has a “forward-looking agenda,” and he confirmed that he will shuffle his cabinet in early January.
But he said he only has a “couple of outstanding holes to fill”(created in part, by the resignation of former Environment Minister Jim Prentice) and that the shuffle will not be extensive.
“By and large, I am happy with my team. They work hard, they know their files, they work with integrity and so they will be leading us forward.”
Mr. Harper said his government will table a budget which is focused on the economy, job creation, and the gradual elimination of the deficit. He said that while Canada is in the red, its deficit levels are only a fraction of those in other countries.
He promised that his government will not reduce the deficit through “deep, slash and burn” cuts, particularly in areas such as health and education.
“But obviously we’ve got to make sure our spending is in priority areas and it’s not growing. And if we do that in the next few years, we should see enough economic growth to close that deficit gap. That’s what we need to do in Canada. It’s not a matter of dramatic, draconian cuts but it will be a matter of discipline over some period of time.”
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Harper+promises+cause+election/3995997/story.html#ixzz18RGBevUA
Friday, December 17, 2010
Province eyes all royalties from oil, gas in gulf: 'Won't settle for less,' minister warns Ottawa.
Quebec will ask the federal government for 100 per cent of the resource royalties from oil and natural gas developments in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which could initially bring the province as much as $8.7 billion.
“We won’t settle for less,” Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said Wednesday, emerging from a meeting of the Liberal cabinet with a mandate to negotiate a royalty agreement with Ottawa.
Several potential drilling sites have been identified in Quebec’s portion of the gulf, but Normandeau acknowledged the province was pushed to act by plans to start drilling on the Newfoundland and Labrador side of the disputed underwater boundary between the two provinces, at a place called Old Harry.
The province also wants Ottawa to recognize the 1964 boundary line in the gulf, she said. The line was agreed to at the time by Quebec Premier Jean Lesage and all four Atlantic premiers, including Newfoundland’s Joey Smallwood. But the boundary accord was never submitted to the federal government for approval, as required by the constitution, and Newfoundland no longer considers the agreement valid.
Normandeau also wants Ottawa to recognize 10 drilling permits Quebec has already issued in the gulf.
Corridor Resources Inc. of Halifax wanted to drill on Quebec’s side of the line, but cannot do so in the absence of a royalty agreement between Quebec and Ottawa. So Corridor will drill instead on the Newfoundland side, where it has drilling permits that expire in 2013.
While Newfoundland says it does not recognize the 1964 line, it does not issue drilling permits on the side claimed by Quebec.
Geologists estimate there may be about 2 billion barrels of oil in Quebec’s part of Old Harry. But the deposit could also be natural gas, or perhaps a salt dome. If it is natural gas, the royalties would total a more modest $1.5 billion, Normandeau said.
The federal government, backed by a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, claims full ownership of Canada’s offshore resources. Quebec also claims full ownership of undersea gas and oil deposits.
Normandeau said reopening the constitution to resolve the dispute would be a dead end.
So, like Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Quebec will seek an administrative agreement with Ottawa, leaving the ownership issue unresolved.
The agreements reached with the two Atlantic provinces call for joint federal-provincial boards to manage the offshore hydrocarbons.
Quebec wants to collect all the royalties itself, without federal participation, Normandeau said.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Province+eyes+royalties+from+gulf/3986025/story.html#ixzz18LZ7py1X
“We won’t settle for less,” Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said Wednesday, emerging from a meeting of the Liberal cabinet with a mandate to negotiate a royalty agreement with Ottawa.
Several potential drilling sites have been identified in Quebec’s portion of the gulf, but Normandeau acknowledged the province was pushed to act by plans to start drilling on the Newfoundland and Labrador side of the disputed underwater boundary between the two provinces, at a place called Old Harry.
The province also wants Ottawa to recognize the 1964 boundary line in the gulf, she said. The line was agreed to at the time by Quebec Premier Jean Lesage and all four Atlantic premiers, including Newfoundland’s Joey Smallwood. But the boundary accord was never submitted to the federal government for approval, as required by the constitution, and Newfoundland no longer considers the agreement valid.
Normandeau also wants Ottawa to recognize 10 drilling permits Quebec has already issued in the gulf.
Corridor Resources Inc. of Halifax wanted to drill on Quebec’s side of the line, but cannot do so in the absence of a royalty agreement between Quebec and Ottawa. So Corridor will drill instead on the Newfoundland side, where it has drilling permits that expire in 2013.
While Newfoundland says it does not recognize the 1964 line, it does not issue drilling permits on the side claimed by Quebec.
Geologists estimate there may be about 2 billion barrels of oil in Quebec’s part of Old Harry. But the deposit could also be natural gas, or perhaps a salt dome. If it is natural gas, the royalties would total a more modest $1.5 billion, Normandeau said.
The federal government, backed by a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, claims full ownership of Canada’s offshore resources. Quebec also claims full ownership of undersea gas and oil deposits.
Normandeau said reopening the constitution to resolve the dispute would be a dead end.
So, like Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Quebec will seek an administrative agreement with Ottawa, leaving the ownership issue unresolved.
The agreements reached with the two Atlantic provinces call for joint federal-provincial boards to manage the offshore hydrocarbons.
Quebec wants to collect all the royalties itself, without federal participation, Normandeau said.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Province+eyes+royalties+from+gulf/3986025/story.html#ixzz18LZ7py1X
Thursday, December 16, 2010
MPs vote down bill to stop coerced abortion : Bill C-510 also known as Roxanne’s Law,
OTTAWA — Parliament has voted down a bill that would have made it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion.
Bill C-510, also known as Roxanne’s Law, was introduced by Winnipeg Conservative Rod Bruinooge, but he couldn’t even count on the support of his own party to pass the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and much of his front bench of cabinet ministers voted against the bill.
“The prime minister has always said he wouldn’t support a bill that reopens the abortion debate,” Harper spokesman Andrew MacDougall said.
The bill was defeated with 178 votes against to 97 for it.
While Harper and many Conservatives voted against the bill, ten Liberals supported it.
“I’m disappointed that the Conservatives message here is somewhat contradictory,” said Liberal MP Dan McTeague.
Roxanne’s Law was named for Roxanne Fernando, a young Winnipeg woman who was killed after refusing demands from her boyfriend to have an abortion. The woman’s brutally beaten body was discovered in a snow filled ditch outside of Winnipeg in February 2007.
Not all Conservatives saw this as a law and order issue they needed to support.
“I just think it’s legally unnecessary,” Heritage Minister James Moore said. “Those protections already exist in the criminal code. That was the justice minister’s assessment and I agree with him.”
Bruinooge said the bill received more votes than expected: He had been predicting only 75 votes in favour.
The NDP and Bloc Quebecois caucus were unanimously against the bill. An NDP news release denounced the bill as one that “risks criminalizing abortion.”
Bruinooge denied his bill was aimed at outlawing abortion.
“The focus of this bill was always pregnant women facing domestic abuse,” Bruinooge said.
Despite losing the vote Bruinooge said he will continue to work on this issue.
Bill C-510, also known as Roxanne’s Law, was introduced by Winnipeg Conservative Rod Bruinooge, but he couldn’t even count on the support of his own party to pass the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and much of his front bench of cabinet ministers voted against the bill.
“The prime minister has always said he wouldn’t support a bill that reopens the abortion debate,” Harper spokesman Andrew MacDougall said.
The bill was defeated with 178 votes against to 97 for it.
While Harper and many Conservatives voted against the bill, ten Liberals supported it.
“I’m disappointed that the Conservatives message here is somewhat contradictory,” said Liberal MP Dan McTeague.
Roxanne’s Law was named for Roxanne Fernando, a young Winnipeg woman who was killed after refusing demands from her boyfriend to have an abortion. The woman’s brutally beaten body was discovered in a snow filled ditch outside of Winnipeg in February 2007.
Not all Conservatives saw this as a law and order issue they needed to support.
“I just think it’s legally unnecessary,” Heritage Minister James Moore said. “Those protections already exist in the criminal code. That was the justice minister’s assessment and I agree with him.”
Bruinooge said the bill received more votes than expected: He had been predicting only 75 votes in favour.
The NDP and Bloc Quebecois caucus were unanimously against the bill. An NDP news release denounced the bill as one that “risks criminalizing abortion.”
Bruinooge denied his bill was aimed at outlawing abortion.
“The focus of this bill was always pregnant women facing domestic abuse,” Bruinooge said.
Despite losing the vote Bruinooge said he will continue to work on this issue.
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