(ಠ_ಠ)
2014-11-19 22:49:40 UTC
If Harper hadn't instructed his party to clam up and not cooperate with the
widespread Elections Canada investigation, a whole lot more Conservatives would
be doing jail time for the last election.
Make sure you get YOUR party's representatives to each and every poll location
in the upcoming election . . . . the Cons will need careful watching.
Volunteer as a scrutineer . . . each and every party can have one present at
each poll.
_____________________________________________________
The Canadian Press - Winnipeg Free Press - November 19, 2014
Michael Sona, convicted in robocalls scandal, gets 9 months in jail
GUELPH, Ont. - Interfering with a citizen's right to vote merits real jail
time, an Ontario judge declared Wednesday as he made Michael Sona the first
person ever to spend time behind bars for violating the Canada Elections Act.
Sona, the former Conservative staffer convicted in the 2011 robocalls scandal,
was sentenced to nine months behind bars and one year's probation for what
Justice Gary Hearn called "an affront to the electoral process."
He's the first person convicted of wilfully preventing or endeavouring to
prevent an elector from voting under the Canada Elections Act, said Hearn, who
called his task "a difficult and troublesome sentencing."
Hearn said he believes Sona did not act alone in the scheme, in which some
6,700 automated phone calls were placed on the morning of the 2011 federal
election with misleading information on how to vote.
Sona was just 22 at the time of the offence, lacked proper guidance from more
experienced colleagues, and has suffered emotionally in the aftermath, Hearn
acknowledged.
But jail time was nonetheless warranted in order to send the unmistakable
message — particularly to those involved in politics — that messing with the
electoral process is a serious crime, he said.
"This was a deliberate and considered course of criminal conduct specifically
designed to subvert the inherent fairness of the electoral process," Hearn told
the court.
"This was a federal election undertaken to elect representatives who form the
governing body in our nation. This was not an amateurish Grade 8 election
campaign for student council. Conduct such as that of Mr. Sona is not suitable
at any time."
Sona hung his head and fiddled with his BlackBerry, his family members beside
him in tears, as Hearn delivered his fate. He was later led out of the
courtroom by police.
Sona's lawyer, Norm Boxall, said his client would be transferred to an
unspecified provincial jail. He said a decision has not yet been made whether
to file an appeal.
"He's obviously disappointed with the decision, but he's strong," Boxall said
outside court.
"He will be considering all of his options in the upcoming days, and those
decisions are best made when persons can reflect calmly and logically and not
do them in the emotional aftermath of a decision."
Boxall said Sona would likely consult with another lawyer to determine whether
an appeal is appropriate. He could then seek a release from jail pending his
appeal. Should he decide not to appeal, he could be eligible to apply for
parole after three months, Boxall said.
Sona is a youthful, first-time offender, but that couldn't be allowed to
overshadow the seriousness of the case, Hearn said. Given his background, he
presumably supported the right of people to a free and fair vote, he continued.
"He took very active steps to see that this did not happen and the sentence
must be such that the serious nature of this conduct is made apparent to those
similarly inclined."
Hearn said he did recognize that Sona had already suffered considerably, noting
periods of stress and depression; he also said Sona had taken "rather drastic
steps" to deal with those problems "in a very inappropriate manner."
Boxall refused to elaborate.
Although the Crown and defence agreed he likely did not act alone, Sona was the
only person charged in the scheme. He had been facing a maximum penalty of
five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Boxall had asked for a suspended sentence or a six-to-12-month conditional
sentence with house arrest, parole and a requirement for community service.
Ruth McGuirl of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada applauded Hearn's
sentence.
"The trial judge sent out a message today that the type of conduct which
interferes with the fundamental rights of voters warrants jail time," McGuirl said.
"It is (hoped) that this sentence will send a message which will deter anyone
who would like to participate in any kind of similar conduct."
_______________________________
Won't deter the bloody Harper Cons - they're going to resort to just a more
insidious and inventive way to steal the next election.
Get your SCRUTINEERS ready for the polls in the next election - rumoured to be
as soon as February of the new year. (Harper worried about Duffy court case
fallout).
widespread Elections Canada investigation, a whole lot more Conservatives would
be doing jail time for the last election.
Make sure you get YOUR party's representatives to each and every poll location
in the upcoming election . . . . the Cons will need careful watching.
Volunteer as a scrutineer . . . each and every party can have one present at
each poll.
_____________________________________________________
The Canadian Press - Winnipeg Free Press - November 19, 2014
Michael Sona, convicted in robocalls scandal, gets 9 months in jail
GUELPH, Ont. - Interfering with a citizen's right to vote merits real jail
time, an Ontario judge declared Wednesday as he made Michael Sona the first
person ever to spend time behind bars for violating the Canada Elections Act.
Sona, the former Conservative staffer convicted in the 2011 robocalls scandal,
was sentenced to nine months behind bars and one year's probation for what
Justice Gary Hearn called "an affront to the electoral process."
He's the first person convicted of wilfully preventing or endeavouring to
prevent an elector from voting under the Canada Elections Act, said Hearn, who
called his task "a difficult and troublesome sentencing."
Hearn said he believes Sona did not act alone in the scheme, in which some
6,700 automated phone calls were placed on the morning of the 2011 federal
election with misleading information on how to vote.
Sona was just 22 at the time of the offence, lacked proper guidance from more
experienced colleagues, and has suffered emotionally in the aftermath, Hearn
acknowledged.
But jail time was nonetheless warranted in order to send the unmistakable
message — particularly to those involved in politics — that messing with the
electoral process is a serious crime, he said.
"This was a deliberate and considered course of criminal conduct specifically
designed to subvert the inherent fairness of the electoral process," Hearn told
the court.
"This was a federal election undertaken to elect representatives who form the
governing body in our nation. This was not an amateurish Grade 8 election
campaign for student council. Conduct such as that of Mr. Sona is not suitable
at any time."
Sona hung his head and fiddled with his BlackBerry, his family members beside
him in tears, as Hearn delivered his fate. He was later led out of the
courtroom by police.
Sona's lawyer, Norm Boxall, said his client would be transferred to an
unspecified provincial jail. He said a decision has not yet been made whether
to file an appeal.
"He's obviously disappointed with the decision, but he's strong," Boxall said
outside court.
"He will be considering all of his options in the upcoming days, and those
decisions are best made when persons can reflect calmly and logically and not
do them in the emotional aftermath of a decision."
Boxall said Sona would likely consult with another lawyer to determine whether
an appeal is appropriate. He could then seek a release from jail pending his
appeal. Should he decide not to appeal, he could be eligible to apply for
parole after three months, Boxall said.
Sona is a youthful, first-time offender, but that couldn't be allowed to
overshadow the seriousness of the case, Hearn said. Given his background, he
presumably supported the right of people to a free and fair vote, he continued.
"He took very active steps to see that this did not happen and the sentence
must be such that the serious nature of this conduct is made apparent to those
similarly inclined."
Hearn said he did recognize that Sona had already suffered considerably, noting
periods of stress and depression; he also said Sona had taken "rather drastic
steps" to deal with those problems "in a very inappropriate manner."
Boxall refused to elaborate.
Although the Crown and defence agreed he likely did not act alone, Sona was the
only person charged in the scheme. He had been facing a maximum penalty of
five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Boxall had asked for a suspended sentence or a six-to-12-month conditional
sentence with house arrest, parole and a requirement for community service.
Ruth McGuirl of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada applauded Hearn's
sentence.
"The trial judge sent out a message today that the type of conduct which
interferes with the fundamental rights of voters warrants jail time," McGuirl said.
"It is (hoped) that this sentence will send a message which will deter anyone
who would like to participate in any kind of similar conduct."
_______________________________
Won't deter the bloody Harper Cons - they're going to resort to just a more
insidious and inventive way to steal the next election.
Get your SCRUTINEERS ready for the polls in the next election - rumoured to be
as soon as February of the new year. (Harper worried about Duffy court case
fallout).
