News Releases: Commissioner of Canada Elections

Commissioner of Canada Elections Announces
the Laying of Canada Elections Act Charges

Gatineau, May 7, 2015

Pursuant to a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Canada Elections, Mr. Yves Côté, has announced his office has laid three charges under the Canada Elections Act, a federal statute.

The charges were filed on May 6, 2015 in the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's.

Reginald Bowers, an official agent in the electoral district of Labrador during the 2011 federal general election, is charged with:

1. Failing, within 30 days of becoming aware of ineligible contributions to the candidate, to return the contributions unused to the contributor, or pay the amount of the contribution to the Chief Electoral Officer, contrary to subsection 404(2) of the Canada Elections Act, thereby committing an offence contrary to paragraph 497(1)(i.l).
   (This charge relates to allegations that Mr. Bowers received contributions from corporations and that he subsequently failed to return these ineligible contributions in accordance with the Canada Elections Act.)
2. Providing the Chief Electoral Officer with a document that he knew or ought reasonably to have known contained a material statement that was false or misleading, to wit: failure to accurately identify ineligible campaign contributions, thereby contravening paragraph 463(1)(a) of the Canada Elections Act and by so doing committed an offence contrary to paragraph 497(3)(v).
3. Providing the Chief Electoral Officer with a document that he knew or ought reasonably to have known contained a material statement that was false or misleading, to wit: failure to accurately report travel expenses contrary to paragraph 463(1)(a) of the Canada Elections Act, thereby committing an offence contrary to paragraph 497(3)(v).

The Commissioner of Canada Elections is an independent officer responsible for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the Canada Elections Act and the federal Referendum Act.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is responsible for prosecuting offences under federal jurisdiction in a manner that is free of any improper influence and that respects the public interest. The PPSC is also responsible for providing prosecution-related advice to law enforcement agencies across Canada.

For information specific to this matter:

Public Prosecution Service of Canada Media Relations
613-954-7803
or at www.ppsc-sppc.gc.ca

General information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
or at www.elections.ca