Federal Court Hears LLRIB Election Appeal

Federal Court Hears LLRIB Election Appeal

Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 14:39

 

 

A member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band was in court today in an effort to win back his seat on the band council.

 

Larry Roberts won an election for band councillor in La Ronge in 2008.

 

However, during the appeals process, another member alleged Roberts had improperly filled out his form when it came to his criminal record status.

 

As a result, Roberts was stripped of his position.

 

However, he maintains he has done nothing wrong.

 

His election win was appealed on the basis he filed a false declaration.

 

Roberts’ election eligibility form did not ask about a criminal record, but the declaration oath he swore did.

 

He says there are discrepancies between what used to happen at elections under the Indian Act election act versus under band custom, which he says came to be in 2001.

 

While Roberts acknowledges he was convicted of a summary offence, he says that is still allowed under the band’s election act.

 

He says what is not allowed is if you are convicted of an indictable offence.

 

For that reason, he argues the band contravened its own election rules by removing him.

 

Roberts says problems like this need to be addressed so future candidates don’t run into the same problem.

 

The case was heard in Federal Court in Saskatoon.

 

A decision is expected in a few weeks.