The Green Party's deputy leader and candidate for MP in the Northwest Territories is appealing a 51-day sentence for a protest she took part in years ago.
Angela Davidson SA国际影视传媒� also known as Rainbow Eyes SA国际影视传媒� has been found guilty of seven counts of criminal contempt of court, according to Her sentence stems from disobeying court orders while protesting a logging operation at Fairy Creek on Vancouver Island in 2021.
Benjamin Isitt, Davidson's lawyer, told SA国际影视传媒 there are no pending court dates scheduled for her.
"We filed a notice of application for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada on April 9. Our full application for leave to appeal is due on June 9," said Isitt.
Isitt explained that the 51-day jail sentence started on April 24, 2024. Davidson served six days in custody at that time, before being released on bail pending her appeal.
She then served another two days in custody earlier this month before being released on bail pending her Supreme Court of Canada appeal. Davidson was released on bail on April 10.
"When the additional 12-day credit for pre-trial custody is included, she has 31 days remaining in the 51-day jail sentence, followed by probation with 75 hours of community service," Isitt said.
Can she still become an MP?
It's unlikely Davidson will be the NWT's next MP, but for context, the House of Commons states that MPs cannot claim freedom from arrest or imprisonment on a criminal charge.
"A Member of the House of Commons is in exactly the same position as any other citizen if he or she is suspected of, charged with or found guilty of a crime, provided that it is unrelated to proceedings in Parliament," House of Commons procedures
According to Elections Canada, it would not consider a candidate serving a community service or on probation to be imprisoned in a correctional facility.
"Issues related to the candidateSA国际影视传媒檚 eligibility after they are confirmed would be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction if the candidate is elected and their eligibility is contested," Elections Canada stated in an email to SA国际影视传媒.
Section 502 of the Canada Elections Act also states that any person convicted of an illegal or corrupt practice under the act faces extra consequences beyond fines or jail time. For example, if someone is guilty of committing an illegal practice, they can't run for MP for the next five years. If it's a corrupt practice, the ban lasts for seven years.
What did Davidson do?
According to court documents, Davidson violated a Supreme Court civil injunction that was issued in April 2021. That injunction was meant to protect Teal Cedar ProductsSA国际影视传媒� logging operations at Fairy Creek.
Davidson chained herself to a gate and interfered with machinery belonging to a logging contractor in a SA国际影视传媒渉ighly visible way,SA国际影视传媒� the court document states. She was also SA国际影视传媒減laying a drum and distributing food in [a] continuous and flagrant breach of both the injunction and her bail,SA国际影视传媒� the document adds.
"For at least five of her offences, the appellant was not only bound by the terms of the injunction, but she violated one or more bail orders specifically intended to keep her away from the enjoined area and prevent further offending," the court document states.
Green Party stands behind candidate
In a press release issued on April 10, the Green Party said it stands by Davidson.
"The Green Party of Canada is honoured to have a courageous Indigenous land defender as deputy leader," the press release stated. "The party hopes justice will prevail and that she will be allowed to campaign in the Northwest Territories in this snap election."
SA国际影视传媒 reached out to Davidson for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
