— The judge deciding a case against two Ontario Liberals facing bribery charges under the Election Act questioned the merits of one of the charges against a former top staffer to the premier Tuesday. Their directed verdict application calls on the judge to dismiss the charges before the defence has even called any witnesses, arguing the Crown hasn’t proven its case. That preferred candidate was Glenn Thibeault, then the NDP MP, and now the energy minister. Judge Howard Borenstein said Tuesday he was having a hard time seeing that as an offence. Lacy argued the Crown is trying to broaden that definition and if the judge rules in their favour, it would drastically change how political parties operate.

Source: National Post October 10, 2017 16:30 UTC