Conservatives in the News

[PuckChaser]

If you're cool with him being a chickenhawk,  that's up to you.  I don't think it's behaviour I want to see by someone on the Hill.

I don't think he's justifying the behaviour, only stating that the Senate didn't have a legally strong leg to stand on.

 

[dapaterson]

I don't think he's justifying the behaviour, only stating that the Senate didn't have a legally strong leg to stand on.

He was in a position of authority as a religious leader.  So it's illegal if the other individual is under 18 which, it is alleged, occurred on one occasion.

 

[PuckChaser]

He was in a position of authority as a religious leader.  So it's illegal if the other individual is under 18 which, it is alleged, occurred on one occasion.

Clearly not enough evidence to pursue charges, or the Ottawa Police would have done so.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Clearly not enough evidence to pursue charges, or the Ottawa Police would have done so.

Is every administrative action in the CF supported by, say, criminal charges?  After all, if behaviour doesn't meet the test of criminal prosecution, it must be OK, right? 

 

[PuckChaser]

Is every administrative action in the CF supported by, say, criminal charges?  After all, if behaviour doesn't meet the test of criminal prosecution, it must be OK, right? 

What's the CAFs highest administrative action? It's release. Just like the CAF, he pulled pin before the hammer fell.

We're now in the realm of arguing morality vs legality in laws, completely off topic. I personally think the guy was a dirtbag, but far more legally savvy people than me stated with the current laws, it was not criminal or they couldn't get enough evidence to have a reasonable expectation of conviction.

 

[dapaterson]

Clearly not enough evidence to pursue charges, or the Ottawa Police would have done so.

My understanding is that the investigation was done by the Senate; I've seen nothing to indicate that OPS was involved.

 

[The Bread Guy]

What's the CAFs highest administrative action? It's release. Just like the CAF, he pulled pin before the hammer fell.

And we've also seen cases of due process chasing and catching someone already out the door, too.  It'll be interesting to see what unfolds with this guy ...

 

[PuckChaser]

My understanding is that the investigation was done by the Senate; I've seen nothing to indicate that OPS was involved.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/04/04/sen-don-meredith-appears-at-closed-door-ethics-committee-meeting.html

An investigation into Meredith’s behaviour began after the Star reported in the summer of 2015 on his two-year affair with a teenage girl. After an Ottawa police probe wrapped up without laying charges, the Senate’s ethics officer published a report on March 9 of this year, concluding that Meredith used his job in the red chamber to lure the girl into a sexual affair.

 

[dapaterson]

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/04/04/sen-don-meredith-appears-at-closed-door-ethics-committee-meeting.html

Thanks; I had missed that.

 

[The Bread Guy]

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/04/04/sen-don-meredith-appears-at-closed-door-ethics-committee-meeting.html

Thanks for that reminder. 

In spite of the OPS decision, like with military folks who sometimes escape charges but get dinged via admin measures, or a cop escaping criminal charges but facing admin or Police Act actions, I'm OK with a different standard being applied to this guy's behaviour as a Senator.  Like with the military & cops, we expect better.

 

[PuckChaser]

In spite of the OPS decision, like with military folks who sometimes escape charges but get dinged via admin measures, or a cop escaping criminal charges but facing admin or Police Act actions, I'm OK with a different standard being applied to this guy's behaviour as a Senator.  Like with the military & cops, we expect better.

100% agree, and I feel this situation is akin to a CAF member not renewing his/her TOS and releasing prior to being served a notice of intent to release (which would only happen if the timing lined up in the CAF case). I would have liked to have seen him called to account for his actions on the Senate Ethics committee, but I believe justice is served by removing a cancer from our government.

 

[The Bread Guy]

... removing a cancer from our government.

:nod:

 

[Rocky Mountains]

If he, as is alleged, exploited a position of power for sexual purposes with someone under 18, then he has committed an offense that should be condemned through the judicial system.

Information online says he met her outside his duties as a pastor and their is no information that he served as her pastor.

I assume that the only offence he could be accused of committing is:

"153(1.2) A judge may infer that a person is in a relationship with a young person that is exploitative of the young person from the nature and circumstances of the relationship, including

    (a) the age of the young person;

    (b) the age difference between the person and the young person;

    (c) the evolution of the relationship; and

    (d) the degree of control or influence by the person over the young person.

Definition of young person

(2) In this section, young person means a person 16 years of age or more but under the age of eighteen years."

As her met her at a Black Pride Week event and other than the age difference there was nothing else unusual about their relationship, I'm sure authorities quickly determined that this section didn't apply.  If there is something inherently immoral about sex with a 16 year old, why isn't the law changed to 18.  I wouldn't argue with that.  Harper had a struggle to get it raised to 16 from 14.  And why the hell can someone legally have sexual relations with a 12 year old under the Criminal Code?

 

[jollyjacktar]

He is at the very least, a married man and not to the female in question.  That, isn't very moral.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

When did priests, pastors and assorted clergymen started acting morally?

[lol:

 

[Rocky Mountains]

He is at the very least, a married man and not to the female in question.  That, isn't very moral.

I hadn't heard that all the members of the Senate had been questioned on marital fidelity.  If odds mean anything, around half would flunk the test.

 

[jollyjacktar]

I hadn't heard that all the members of the Senate had been questioned on marital fidelity.  If odds mean anything, around half would flunk the test.

You suggested his only immoral act was banging a teen.  I countered with another view on morals and transgressions.  I'm quite sure if the woodpile was closely examined, this human failing would be observed in others besides Pastor Chickenhawk.  i also imagine that many folks either agree with his actions or don't give a shit one way or another.  I'm just not one of them.  And for sake of argument lets not confuse illegal with immoral.

 

[The Bread Guy]

At least ONE case is done, even if the other continues ...

... Meanwhile, Dean Del Mastro, the former Peterborough MP and one-time parliamentary secretary to prime minister Stephen Harper, is currently free on bail pending another appeal of his 2014 conviction on unrelated Elections Act offences. He has served a total of seven days of his 30-day jail sentence ...

And the latest on Del Mastro's latest ...

The Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision today on the conviction appeal by Dean Del Mastro, who was found guilty of offences under the Canada Elections Act in 2014. The Court upheld the conviction.

In October 2014, Mr. Del Mastro was found guilty of personally paying an election expense, and thereby wilfully exceeding his contribution limit, contrary to sections 405(1), 497(3)(f.13) and 500(5). He was also found guilty of wilfully incurring election expenses in excess of the campaign expense limit, contrary to sections 443(1), 497(3)(p) and 500(5) and of providing an electoral campaign return containing a false or misleading material statement in omitting to report a campaign contribution and election expense, contrary to sections 463(1)(a), 497(3)(v) and 500(5).

Mr. Del Mastro has 60 days to decide whether he will seek leave to appeal in the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada 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.

(Version française disponible)

SOURCE Public Prosecution Service Canada

Ontario Court of Appeal decision attached.