A decision by the CRTC in late 1992 had already ruled that the alternative parties were not given equal air time during that election.
In spite of the CRTC ruling that there was a violation of the law, Borins ruled that "...this application appears to have been made by the applicants in the furtherance of their own political agendas and that there were, perhaps, more appropriate remedies available to them to achieve the interpretation which they were seeking..." He emphasized that "...it is well established that the Courts do not, as a general rule, order that a tribunal or board perform an act which is within its discretion to carry out."
The decision has left the Commission on Election Finances free to ignore the CRTC ruling, while in addition, it was awarded $2500 in costs.
"Borins' comment that we are attempting to advance our 'own political agendas' was most inappropriate, given the circumstances," commented Fp leader Robert Metz. "Any action a political party undertakes is to advance its political agenda - and that includes the actions of the major parties. That's obvious. Otherwise they wouldn't be political parties. But to imply that the political agendas of two parties as diverse in philosophy as the Communist Party and Freedom Party are somehow the same is ludicrous. If anyone's motivations should be questioned, it should be that of the Liberal, New Democratic, and Conservative appointees to a Commission that effectively regulates its political opponents!"
GET THE DETAILS! Copies of Mr. Justice Borins' ruling and background information on this issue are available to Fp members and supporters on request.
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last updated on April 28, 2002