| Accused: |
Bernard Poulin |
| Facts: |
On September 21, 2020, five charges under the Canada Elections Act were filed in the Court of Quebec, in Montreal. The charges relate to an investigation into Groupe S.M. International Inc., an engineering firm whose assets were all sold in December 2018, for illegal contributions made to federal political entities between January 1, 2004, and June 11, 2009. |
| Offence: |
As the founder and chief executive officer of the firm, Bernard Poulin is charged with having solicited political contributions from his employees and from an employee's spouse while offering them a reimbursement from the company. Under the Act, it is illegal for anyone other than a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to make a political contribution or to conceal the source of a contribution.
|
| Plea: |
On January 28, 2022, Bernard Poulin pleaded guilty to the first and fifth charges and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada withdrew the second, third and fourth charges. |
| Sentence: |
Bernard Poulin received a $3,750 fine, plus applicable costs, for the first and fifth charge, payable within 6 months. |
