The Post editorial board: Elections Canada looks like an agency with a vendetta against the Tories

Published: May 1, 2008, 10:47 am

In the end, a judge may decide that the way the Conservative Party of Canada transferred money to its local candidates to buy advertising in the 2006 federal election violated the Canada Elections Act. But even if that turns out to be the case, it would be the equivalent of a court ruling that a taxpayer's aggressive deduction violated some previously untested provision of the Income Tax Act. The tax-filer would have to pay taxes owing, interest and perhaps a small civil fine, but he would certainly not be a criminal. The hue and cry raised over the Conservatives' alleged in-and-out scheme -- and the vigour with which Elections Canada is pursuing its investigation -- can hardly be justified by the seriousness (or lack thereof ) of what the Conservatives may have done. At worst, the Conservatives engaged in some creative financing in a grey area of elections law and by their actions will force Elections Canada or a judge to clarify the act. An in-and-out scheme

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