OTTAWA—Opposition parties are blasting the Conservatives with renewed rigour over 2006 election spending after the Federal Court of Appeal sided on Tuesday with Elections Canada in its dispute with the party.
Four senior Conservative officials face charges under the Elections Act that carry up to one year of jail time and a $2,000 fine. The Conservatives argue it is an administrative dispute. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff disagrees. All opposition parties have been highly critical of that interpretation.
The charges stem from the Conservatives’ exceeding advertising spending limits by transferring advertising money into 67 local ridings and back to the national party. Those ridings claimed refunds on the money.
The Conservative Party had been saying the Federal Court agreed with their position until the Appeal Court ruled in favour of Elections Canada on Tuesday and unanimously overturned the previous decision.
The Conservatives said they will try to take the case to the Supreme Court.
Four senior Conservative officials face charges under the Elections Act that carry up to one year of jail time and a $2,000 fine. The Conservatives argue it is an administrative dispute. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff disagrees. All opposition parties have been highly critical of that interpretation.
The charges stem from the Conservatives’ exceeding advertising spending limits by transferring advertising money into 67 local ridings and back to the national party. Those ridings claimed refunds on the money.
The Conservative Party had been saying the Federal Court agreed with their position until the Appeal Court ruled in favour of Elections Canada on Tuesday and unanimously overturned the previous decision.
The Conservatives said they will try to take the case to the Supreme Court.
