Close X
Friday, January 24, 2025
ADVT 
National

Closing Of Duffy Trial Takes Proceedings From The Whos And Whats To Why And How

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Feb, 2016 02:00 PM
    OTTAWA — As a former journalist, Sen. Mike Duffy knows the components of a story — you need the who, the what, the where, the when, the why and the how.
     
    In the 61 days an Ottawa courtroom heard evidence on the 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery the senator is facing, the Crown and the defence argued the first five points.
     
    But with the start of closing arguments on Monday, both sides will now get to the final element so necessary to their respective sides of the case, says Peter Sankoff, a law professor at the University of Alberta.
     
    "It's about the how — how does all this stuff add up to guilt or innocence," he said.  
     
    Duffy, 69, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
     
    The closing submissions cap off a trial that began in April and was initially supposed to last just eight weeks. But it's a story that starts back in 2008, when the popular broadcaster was appointed by former prime minister Stephen Harper as a Conservative senator for P.E.I.
     
    Four years later, questions about whether Duffy could justifiably claim to be a resident of that province began to surface and from those, more questions emerged about his expenses and living claims.
     
     
    He'd eventually publicly admit to confusion with the rules and pay $90,000 back into the public purse — money it would later emerge was not his, but came from Harper's former chief of staff, Nigel Wright. More questions would emerge, this time about the partisan work Duffy was doing and whether taxpayers should have been footing the bill for that, too, as he was billing the Senate for some of those trips.  
     
    The whos and wheres and whens and whats of his expenses were the meat of the weeks of testimony that dragged on far longer than anyone expected, including through the early part of the fall election campaign which saw the Conservative government ousted in favour of the Liberals.
     
    There's no question the changing of the political guard in Ottawa took some of the air out of the proceedings, Sankoff noted. But neither side has any room left for it anyway.
     
    "What they were dealing with for long periods, who knew what at what time, who was dealing with the decision, I don't think any of that matters anymore," he said.  
     
    "I think they are really going to focus to the extent that they will on trying to explain why he should or shouldn't be convicted."
     
    But that's not to say that Justice Charles Vaillancourt's eventual ruling will have no fallout, Sankoff said.
     
    "What the judge says could have some impact on how the government does business, because the judge could make some statements about the inappropriateness of some of the conduct of the prime minister's office and I think that has resonance even for future governments," he said.  
     
     
    While two weeks have been set aside for the final submissions, the judge has also asked both sides to present them in writing first, in order to focus them in the hope that the full two weeks will not be needed.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Industry Group Calls On Province To Dig Mining Industry Out Of Possible Trouble

    Industry Group Calls On Province To Dig Mining Industry Out Of Possible Trouble
    The association says the report, by consultant firm Hemmera, reveals a drop in the amount of land available for mineral exploration, while red tape governing land access and development abounds.

    Industry Group Calls On Province To Dig Mining Industry Out Of Possible Trouble

    Winnipeg Hotel Undergoing Renovation Gives Beds, Mattresses, Sofas To Syrian Refugees

    Winnipeg Hotel Undergoing Renovation Gives Beds, Mattresses, Sofas To Syrian Refugees
    John Saad, general manager of Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel, says they could have sold the items to another hotel chain.

    Winnipeg Hotel Undergoing Renovation Gives Beds, Mattresses, Sofas To Syrian Refugees

    Justin Trudeau's Message At World Economic Forum: Canada Open For Business, Investment

    Justin Trudeau's Message At World Economic Forum: Canada Open For Business, Investment
    That's the message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered when he made his entrance at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum as part of his goal to rebrand Canada on the world stage.

    Justin Trudeau's Message At World Economic Forum: Canada Open For Business, Investment

    Montreal Factory Gives Syrian Refugees Jobs, French Classes, Tips To Integrate

    Montreal Factory Gives Syrian Refugees Jobs, French Classes, Tips To Integrate
    When Syrian refugee Garouj Nazarian is asked how he likes working for his boss, the answer comes in choppy English — but the sentiment shines through.

    Montreal Factory Gives Syrian Refugees Jobs, French Classes, Tips To Integrate

    'Thanking Our Lucky Stars:' Canadian Resort Real Estate Loves High U.S. Dollar

    'Thanking Our Lucky Stars:' Canadian Resort Real Estate Loves High U.S. Dollar
    Realtors who sell Canadian resort properties say the low loonie is spurring interest from American buyers who are looking to pick up cheap vacation homes north of the border.

    'Thanking Our Lucky Stars:' Canadian Resort Real Estate Loves High U.S. Dollar

    Star RCMP Puppy In Training Dies After Eating Rope And Rocks In Nova Scotia

    Star RCMP Puppy In Training Dies After Eating Rope And Rocks In Nova Scotia
    An RCMP news release said Reid was saddened by the loss, and noted that condolences can be shared on the force's Facebook page in Nova Scotia and on Twitter using the hashtag RIPHelo.

    Star RCMP Puppy In Training Dies After Eating Rope And Rocks In Nova Scotia