Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand issued his ruling today [PDF here] on an application by Stéphane Dion's Liberal leadership campaign for an extension to pay off campaign debts.
Like he did for other leadership candidates, Mayrand gave Dion until the end of 2009 to pay off debts that , as of June 3, added up to $690,000.
If Dion's team takes all of the extension to pay that off, he will most certainly be fighting the next general election campaign while fighting to pay off his leadership campaign.
Dion's team is looking to pay off the following creditors:
- Stephanos Mamdouh (left) – 2 loans totalling $320,000
- TD Canada Trust – $150,000
- Marc de la Bruyere – $70,000
- Stephen Bronfman – $50,000
- Salvatore Guerrera – $50,000
- Remi Nault – $50,000
UPDATE: A senior official in Dion's office calls in to say that, since those documents were filed with Elections Canada, Dion's campaign has been busy raising money. The official says that Dion's campaign has paid off a substantial amount of the debt and it now stands at about $250,000. Moreover, the Dion team is confident it will pay the rest of it off by this fall.
Technorati Tags: election finances, elections, Liberals, stephane dion
Yes, but David, what exactly is “the plan” ? And if, as I suspect, it does not have to be made public by Elections Canada, then what is the point ? And given that in the last 18 months he has paid off about $110,000 of about $800,000, or 14%, why does EC think he can pay off the balance in the next 18 months ?
Each and every letter to the person who is owed money contains the following paragraph:
If, for any reason, it appears that a balance will remain due and owing as at Decembre 3, 2009, the campaign and you confirm in writing to such further payment schedule and commitments to engage in further fundraising activities in order to pay the debt, plus all further accrued interest within a further eighteen month period.
Another 18 months??? in documentation sent to Elections Canada??
Why did Elections Canada not reply that this paragraph is unacceptable??
Sounds like a “deadline” is not a deadline….except for a Liberal.
Why is EC providing “special” favours” to the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidates??
I bet it would be a good question to as Dion at his next “Green shift” seminar.
He might respond: Its part of my “green shift” plan.
what a joke and no one in the mains stream media will follow up or report this obvious “special treatment”
Not asserting one's free speech rights and not having enough money and organization to help ridings buy ads during an election has its privileges.
My apologies to Mr. Dion. I was convinced that Power Corp was the main lender and this is no the case.
Anyone know why there is a reference in the official documentation sent to Elections Canada that talks about a further 18 month repayment period??
just askin
This is exactly the kind of problem that the Conservatives have with Elections Canada. They are frequently, if not always, held to the most strict interpretation of Elections Canada's rules, whereas the Liberals are often granted the benefit of the doubt and awarded leniency in staggering ways, such as this repayment agreement.
After all, one doesn't go around embarassing the “Leader of the natural ruling party of Canada”. *Scoffs*
Perhaps it might be a good idea to call a Public Inquiry on the administration and interpretations of Elections Canada. Or are they above the law?
Anyone find out yet why Elections Canada is allowing Dion to extend by another 18 months after the “second” 18 month extension???
Its right there in the text sent to EC…see message above where a paragraph refers to another 18 month period following Dec 2009 if the money is not repaid.
just askin
Hey Sean
Do you know why in official documentation sent to EC, Dion put a paragraph to his loan partners that if he doesn't repay by Dec, 2009 he will repay them within another 18 months with interest.
Why would EC let Dion suggest that if he misses his 2nd deadline a 3rd deadline (another 18 months) will be issued??
any ideas as to why EC would allow this, its kinda makes a mockery of a deadline??
bob
That's exactly my point Bob. Dion seems to be allowed a very long leash by EC, so long in fact, that it seems he may be able to neatly triple the length of time he would normally be allowed.
But then, as we're learning, there seem to be different rules accorded to the Liberals. Must be nice…