Ex-Harper adviser Bruce Carson appealing convictions for lobbying offences, citing ‘poorly drafted’ law

A lawyer for one-time PMO adviser Bruce Carson says the existing lobbying legislation is ambiguous and lacks key definitions. The Crown attorney says Carson's lawyer is relying on an excessively narrow reading of the law. A decision date for the appeal has yet to be released.

Former PMO adviser Bruce Carson arrives at the Elgin Street courthouse in Ottawa for the start of his influence-peddling trial on Sept. 14, 2015. He was originally acquitted of that charge and then convicted on appeal earlier this year. In a separate case, Mr. Carson's lawyer was in court again this week to appeal a guilty verdict and $50,000 fine he was given last year for improperly lobbying.The Hill Times photograph by Mike Carroccetto

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BY MARCO VIGLIOTTI

June 22, 2017

Bruce Carson should have his convictions for violating the federal Lobbying Act quashed because the “poorly drafted” legislation enacted by the former Conservative government he served under doesn’t clearly define the criminal offences it created, his lawyer argued Wednesday. Mr. Carson, a o...

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