Conservative MP Gets Jail Time for Breaking Electoral Law
Stephen Harper’s former Parliamentary Secretary Dean Del Mastro was once the face of a government fending off claims that fraudulent robocalls which plagued 200 ridings in the last federal election were orchestrated by the Conservative Party. He became infamous for dismissing all electoral infractions as “unsubstantiated smears” and then the tables turned.
Faced with allegations of his own that he violated the Elections Act in the 2008 election, Del Mastro suddenly became absent and today has since been sentenced to a month in prison followed by four months of house arrest and 18 months probation.
He has been charged for exceeding spending limits, failing to report a personal contribution of $21,000 to his campaign and knowingly submitting a falsified document.
Del Mastro pleads he did nothing wrong and has filed an appeal of his conviction and today’s sentence.
He has since resigned his Peterbourough seat where he sat as an independent since being charged. His resignation will allow him to keep his pension which will be available when he turns 55.
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Categories: Accountability, Scandal
Tags: Conservative
On Monday, the longest campaign in modern history will come to a close and if current polls are any indication, Canada may be seeing a change in government after 9 years of Conservative rule under the leadership of Stephen Harper. Accountability was his calling card in 2006 and today, accountability may very well be one of the defining reasons for his departure.
On Monday, the longest campaign in modern history will come to a close and if current polls are any indication, Canada may be seeing a change in government after 9 years of Conservative rule under the leadership of Stephen Harper. Accountability was his calling card in 2006 and today, accountability may very well be one of the defining reasons for his departure.
In its length, in its cost and in its debate schedule, this election is unusual. The first and possibly only real debate of the campaign ended and here are the highlights of what happened.
In its length, in its cost and in its debate schedule, this election is unusual. The first and possibly only real debate of the campaign ended and here are the highlights of what happened.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper left Rideau Hall this morning with Governor General David Johnston’s approval to drop the writ and Canadians are now officially headed to the polls on October 19. For the first time since fixed election date legislation was brought in by the Conservative government, a fixed election date has been followed.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper left Rideau Hall this morning with Governor General David Johnston’s approval to drop the writ and Canadians are now officially headed to the polls on October 19. For the first time since fixed election date legislation was brought in by the Conservative government, a fixed election date has been followed.
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