Calgary MP George Chahal receives $500 fine for removing opponent's flyer
Calgary Skyview Liberal MP George Chahal has been found to have been in breach of the elections act after he received a $500 penalty from the Office of the Commissioner for Canada Elections (OCCE).
An investigation was launched following the removal of a campaign pamphlet of incumbent Conservative Jag Sahota, Chahal’s opponent,from outside a constituent's home.
Doorbell camera footage surfaced showing Chahal taking the flyer from a home in the northeast neighbourhood of Temple on Sept. 19, 2021, and replacing it with one of his own.
The document left behind included incorrect polling station information. The homeowners had a lawn sign supporting Chahal's conservative opponent.
The OCCE said in a report that “George Chahal admitted to OCCE investigators that he removed the other candidate's campaign flyer.”
It went on to say that he was in “violation of subsection 325(1) of the Act, the prohibition against preventing or impairing the transmission of an election advertising message without the consent of a person with authority to authorize its transmission.
Chahal added that he remains "committed to putting the interests of my constituents first, through all my activities and interactions.
He told CTV News that he hopes to move on from the incident.
“I have nothing to hide and I fully cooperated with the folks doing the review of this matter and I acknowledged it immediately,” said Chahal.
RELATIVELY MINOR INCIDENT
One political scientist at Mount Royal University said the fine amount speaks volumes about how this incident was relatively minor.
“Given that the fine could have been up to $5,000 and time in jail this is clearly at the lower end of the spectrum of penalties,” said Lori Williams.
“That being the case I think (it) sends a signal that this is not being seen as a serious threat to democratic integrity.”
Sahota did not accept CTV's interview request, but her lawyer Kyle Shewchuk did say they welcome the fine.
“But this does not resolve the matter,” he said.
“Voters need to know if theft of campaign literature was a widespread activity and whether a different election result would have otherwise occurred.”
Shewchuk said they will continue with a court application hoping to quash the election results.
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to tell Calgary-Skyview voters what he is prepared to do about this clear violation from a member of his caucus,” said Shewchuk.
Chahal announced on social media Tuesday morning that he had been penalized and had paid the fine.
Chahal added that he remains "committed to putting the interests of my constituents first, through all my activities and interactions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.