NOTE: There are updates beyond this. Click on “Green Party” under categories. In particular, see (2014-04-14) Yeeeay! End of six-year battle, unconstitutionality of Election Deposits
Refund of Election Deposits:
- December 18, 2007: First letter from Green Party to Saskatchewan Attorney General. See 2011-07-21 Green Party Sask legal action, Govt of Sask: Refund of Election deposits. Law is unconstitutional. 3 years and no action.
- September 21, 2012: Lawyer Peter Rosenthal writes the Attorney General of Saskatchewan on behalf of the GPS.
Rosenthal to AG Sask Election Deposits 2012
The following email thread records the effort to obtain a substantive reply from the Attorney General (Sask), Gordon Wyant.
———- Forwarded message ———-
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:35:42 -0600
From: “McGovern, Darcy JU”
To: Peter Rosenthal
Cc: “Cherkewich, Dawn JU”
Subject: RE: constitutional question for Minister of Justice
Dear Mr. Rosenthal:
Thank you for your e-mail on behalf of your client, the Green Party of Canada. I have asked for instructions from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General with respect to your inquiry and I am advised that he will be responding to you directly with respect to this matter.
Darcy McGovern
Director, Legislative Services
Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This e-mail (and any attachment) was intended for a specific recipient. It may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure. Any privilege that exists is not waived.
If you are not the intended recipient:
* do not copy it, distribute it to another person or use it for any other purpose; and
* please delete it and advise me by return e-mail or telephone.
Thank you.
—–Original Message—–
From: Peter Rosenthal
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2013 10:05 AM
To: Cherkewich, Dawn JU
Cc: McGovern, Darcy JU
Subject: RE: consitutional question for Mnister of Justice
Dear Mr. McGovern,
As per below, I am writing to you with respect to the emails and faxes I sent concerning the deposit provisions of your elections act. The response I got suggests that my request will be considered but implies that there is no urgency since there will not be an election for a couple of years.
On the other hand, court proceedings take time. The Green Party doe not wish to face another election with what they regard as the unconstitutional provisions in place.
Is there a realistic possibility that you will amend the act without the necessity of court proceedings?
Can you give me an idea of when you will seriously consider the request that you amend the elections act?
I would greatly appreciate your early reply. Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Peter Rosenthal
Barrister
On Mon, 17 Dec 2012, Cherkewich, Dawn JU wrote:
> Hello Mr. Rosenthal,
> Attached is a copy of the response letter from the Ministry of Justice. If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Darcy McGovern, Director, Public Law, Ministry of Justice, at Darcy.McGovern AT gov.sk.ca.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Dawn M. Cherkewich
> Senior Assistant to the
> Honourable Gordon S. Wyant, Q.C.
>
> —–Original Message—–
> From: Peter Rosenthal
> Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 6:47 AM
> To: Cherkewich, Dawn JU
> Subject: consitutional question for Mnister of Justice
>
> Hi,
> You kindly acknowledged receipt of the attached fax on September 24, 2012.
> Do you have any idea when I might get a substantive response? I’d appreciate any information. Thanks very much.
>
> Peter Rosenthal
>
> ———- Forwarded message ———-
> Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 09:17:24 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Peter Rosenthal
> To: minister.justice@gov.sk.ca
> Subject: consitutional question for Mnister of Justice
>
> Hi,
> Attached please find a fax (including cover sheets) that I faxed to the Minister of Justice yesterday. I am also emailing this copy, as I want to make sure that it gets to the attention of someone in the Ministry who will properly consider it.
> I would greatly appreciate your early acknowledgment of receipt of this.
> Thanks very much. Sincerely,
> Peter Rosenthal
> Barrister and solicitor