20°c A few clouds
7°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Pat Martin seeks to raise $250K to defend against libel suit
NDP MP Pat Martin (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store
OTTAWA — Winnipeg NDP MP Pat Martin is turning to his supporters with cap in hand to defend himself against a $5-million libel lawsuit.
The MP launched a new website Monday, www.patmartindefencefund.ca, to solicit donations to cover the anticipated $250,000 legal costs of the lawsuit.
Martin is being sued by RackNine, an Edmonton-based company that allows clients to record robotic messages to send by the hundreds or thousands to potential clients or voters. The company did a lot of work in the 2011 federal election, and was hired by an as yet unknown person who used the company’s technology to send a message directing voters to fake polling stations on election day.
Those robocalls are the subject of an investigation by Elections Canada, which has said RackNine is not being investigated and has been co-operating with the investigation. However during a news conference in February, Martin alleged RackNine was involved in the scheme.
He eventually issued a formal apology but the company’s officials said the apology wasn’t enough to undo the damage done to its reputation and is proceeding with the lawsuit.
Manitoba political science expert Paul Thomas said he can’t think of another circumstance where a politician sought donations to defend themselves against a libel suit. However, that may be because most politicians are careful enough to deliver their jibes from the legal safety of the House of Commons or their provincial legislatures.
Thomas said it’s unlikely the suit or the appeal for donations will have much impact on Martin politically. He said people predisposed to like Martin because of his maverick nature and outspoken commentary will be the most likely donors. Those who already dislike Martin for the same reasons — including those who also count themselves as NDP supporters — will keep their money away.
Martin said the reaction thus far has been good, with about 50 people making donations of between $20 and $100 each in the first 24 hours.
The House of Commons may fund up to $200 per hour for legal costs but not until the case has concluded and it is dependent on the outcome.
Any money raised that isn’t used for the legal defence fund will be passed on to the Children’s Wish Foundation or the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
There is nothing illegal about Martin raising money to defend himself but the funds cannot be solicited as donations to him as an MP or the NDP.
Martin cleared the fundraising plan with Elections Canada, the Parliamentary ethics commissioner and the Canada Revenue Agency. The donations are going into an independent trust fund, managed by independent trustees and overseen by a chartered accountant who will audit the books to ensure all the donations go where it is claimed.
The website makes clear donations are not tax deductible because Martin’s defence fund is not a registered charity.
History
Updated on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 7:17 PM CDT: Adds information
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- New owner for lumber stores
- Peeping Tom portrayed as sexual deviant in court
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Man killed after test drive a regular guy, and it cost him his life: widow
- Man shot to death in Fla. while being questioned in Boston Marathon bombing investigation
- Housing slowdown to worsen, cost 150,000 jobs, says mortgage group
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Susan Griffiths dies in Switzerland
- New owner for lumber stores
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- Paying bills and consumer consumption hurting Canadians' ability to save: study
- MP Bruinooge says Bill 18 could infringe on religious freedoms
- Elijah Harper: The humble man who said no
- Two charged in golf course burglary
- Creative industries can fuel a city's economic engine
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Province removing red tape in alcohol sales
- Animals are animals, new ads say
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Ontario steps in to help save ELA
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Retail sales in province see 2 per cent increase in February
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.