Great Idea

No matter your opinion, it is reasonable that any potential illegal rebates should be in a trust until the courts decide. Afterall, as Harper repeatedly stated, the Conservatives have a very strong case, so as a show of good faith, entirely appropriate to put a hold on the disputed money until the ultimate vindication:

Conservative candidates who may have received inflated rebates before Elections Canada discovered the “in-and-out” scheme should be required to put the money in a trust fund until the Federal Court rules if they are entitled to it, Liberal Justice Critic Dominic LeBlanc said today.

“I am calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ensure that all of his candidates who received potentially inflated rebates due to the “in-and-out” scheme put these funds in a trust fund pending the Federal Court’s review,” said Mr. LeBlanc. “No candidate should have a political advantage by being able to spend funds they received as a result of a scheme which Elections Canada says may not comply with the Elections Act.”

“I’m sure Canadian voters would be concerned if the Conservatives permitted these candidates, who we now learn include three members of cabinet, from using these funds, while the Federal Court is reviewing Elections Canada’s ruling that the Conservatives had no right to claim this money,” he said.

The Liberals were also kind enough to provide a detailed list of the MP's in question:

Member of Parliament
Additional rebate received due to apparent “in-and-out” transaction

Hon. Lawrence Cannon
$3,685

Hon. Jay Hill
$9,000

Hon. Josée Verner
$5,618

David Anderson
$1,977

Maxime Bernier
$3,000

Steven Blaney
$14,785

Patricia Davidson
$7,290

Jacques Gourde
$14,785

Luc Harvey
$22,473

Colin Mayes
$6,000

Daniel Petit
$22,473

TOTAL
$111, 086

Surely, Conservatives can see the merits of this idea, until Elections Canada is rightfully exposed as the biased, unfair entity we all know it to be.