Charges unlikely for Liberals who planted hyper-partisan buttons: Lawyer

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OTTAWA — Actions by Liberal campaign workers caught in a party-sanctioned disinformation campaign could meet the threshold for charges, lawyers told The Toronto Sun.

Litigators interviewed by the Toronto Sun say the scheme — which involved planting hyper-partisan buttons at a conservative convention in Ottawa last week — could meet the threshold of offences under  the Criminal Code and Canada Elections Act.

However, it’s unlikely authorities would act, said Calgary-based criminal lawyer Alain Hepner.

“I don’t see the Crown being interested in proceeding under the Criminal Code,” Hepner said. “I think all Crown prosecutors across Canada have enough on their plate, and have bigger fish to fry.”

Aside from the Criminal Code offence of mischief, those responsible could potentially run afoul of the  Canada Elections Act.

Sec. 481 of the Act specifically prohibits distributing or transmitting “…any material, regardless of its form” that purports to be made, distributed, transmitted or published by or under the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer, or a returning officer, political party, candidate or prospective candidate.

Hepner said that if charges were laid, prosecution would like take place under the Canada Elections Act. But Hepner stressed he’d be shocked if any charges were laid.

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