More PC scandal

Cue the exit of yet another Conservative member, over the complete disregard for the financial safeguards set in place by Elections Canada. This week, former parliamentary secretary Dean Del Mastro has quit the conservative caucus in light of the charges laid against him by Elections Canada, after breaking campaign rules during the 2008 federal election. It is alleged that the representative for Peterborough contributed $19,000 over the individual candidate contribution limit. While more information will be exposed as the investigation continues, the evidence of late is damning.
Del Mastro has vigorously denied these allegations since the start of Elections Canada’s investigation, appearing on various news networks to plead his case, and through making an emotional point of privilege in the House of Commons just months ago, in where he told the Speaker that he felt “violated and betrayed” by these accusations. In truth, it is the Canadian people who should feel violated and betrayed by the purported unlawful actions of this parliamentarian. The level-playing field principle is a crucial aspect in maintaining fair elections across Canada. The principle of the rule of law, which states that no one is above it, is also a vital standard that has played an essential role in keeping parliamentarians in check. To ignore either goes entirely against the free and democratic system we pride ourselves on.
Fortunately, the Commissioner of Canada Elections, Mr. Yves Côté, is keen on upholding these principles, and has laid four charges on Del Mastro, and three charges on his official agent, Richard McCarthy, under the Canada Elections Act. In the 2008 federal elections, Del Mastro hired the consulting firm Holinshed for the tune of $21,000, in order to deliver voter identification and voter contact services. He subsequently paid Holinshed with a personal cheque. Except, the maximum amount candidates are allowed to personally contribute to their own campaign is $2,100. This might explain why the paperwork provided to Elections Canada by Richard McCarthy misleadingly reported an expense of only $1,575. Head investigator Thomas Ritchie claimed that Del Mastro was well aware of the limit, and knowingly surpassed it. Del Mastro was quick to respond that this personal cheque was for services rendered outside of the election period. As the investigation grew, he pivoted from his initial statement and said that he was reimbursed for nearly all of the $21,000.
The charges laid against Del Mastro and McCarthy are as follows, as stated by the Commissioner of Canada Elections, Mr. Yves Côté:
“1) Incurring election expenses in an amount more than the election expenses limit, contrary to subsection 443(1) of the Act, thereby committing an offence contrary to subsections 497(3)(p) and 500(5) of the Act;
2 & 3) providing the Chief Electoral Officer an electoral campaign return that omitted to report a contribution of $21,000.00, omitted to report an election expense of $21,000.00 and instead reported an election expense of $1,575.00, and in so doing provided a document referred to in subsection 451(1) of the Act that each knew or ought reasonably to have known contained a material statement that was false or misleading, contrary to paragraphs 463(1)(a) and 463(1)(b) of the Act, thereby committing an offence contrary to subsections 497(3)(v) and 500(5) of the Act;
4) wilfully exceeding the contribution limit for a candidate in his own election campaign, thereby committing an offence contrary to subsections 497(3)(f.13) and 500(5) of the Act.”
The penalty for these serious allegations each carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and a $5,000 fine. If the Crown decides to pursue a less serious summary offence, the maximum penalty would be reduced to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.
It will be interesting to see how this case unfolds, as it takes place on Nov. 7th of this year. Surely Harper had hoped that summer recess, along with the interlude provided by his most recent prorogation, would have been enough time for the Conservatives to lick their wounds following the Senate scandal. Yet, it will take a lot more than laying low, which seems to be the maxim for the Harper Conservatives during times of pressure, to address the critical issue of lawbreakers within his caucus.