Twitter reacts to former Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro's jail time
Del Mastro was sentenced to one month in jail, four months house arrest for 2008 campaign spending
Former Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro has been sentenced to one month in jail followed by four months house arrest for violating the Elections Act in 2008.
Del Mastro was found guilty of exceeding election spending limits, failing to report a personal contribution of $21,000 to his campaign and knowingly submitting a falsified document. Del Mastro is appealing the conviction and sentence.
Justice Lisa Cameron called the offences an "affront" to the principles of Canada's democratic system and the very "antithesis" of democracy.
Twitter reacted swiftly to the news.
Some agreed with Justice Cameron:
Well reasoned by Cameron. But harsh words, too. Del Mastro guilty of "lying and cheating." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DDM?src=hash">#DDM</a>
—@TimothyEWilsonOthers pointed out the irony that Del Mastro was formerly a member of the House of Commons ethics committee:
Del Mastro, formerly the prime minister’s spokesman on ethics and electoral matters, will likely sleep in jail tonight.
—@stphnmaherRemember all that time Dean Del Mastro spent as a member of the HoC Ethics Committee? Aw. Yeah. Good times. Good times.
—@paisleyraeSome wondered whether the sentence was harsh enough:
<a href="https://twitter.com/always_vote">@always_vote</a> Was hoping for a true "tough-on-crime" sentence for Dean <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DelMastro?src=hash">#DelMastro</a> With bail he won't likely serve any of the 30 days <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@___DannoAnd another one bites the dust. Great to see Harper's tough on crime agenda is being implemented. <a href="http://t.co/nNSVltIKrE">http://t.co/nNSVltIKrE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CheatingIsWrong?src=hash">#CheatingIsWrong</a>
—@SimonGollishThe judge might think a one-month jail term is a harsh sentence but I'm not so sure that others in jail for less harm would agree. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DDM?src=hash">#DDM</a>
—@YukonGaleA Liberal MP weighed in:
Important: Del Mastro had an unfair advantage by overspending & he was elected. Level playing field is crucial for all candidates
—@MarcGarneauAnd, of course, some found the opportunity for political satire:
Dean Del Mastro sentenced to 31 days in jail, though he's already changed the court document to say 3.1.
—@22_Minutes