VIC TOEWS - ELECTION-LAW VIOLATOR BECOMES TOP LAWMAKER

Vic Toews assumed the job as Canada's top lawmaker yesterday under the
cloud of a conviction for breaking the law by spending more than the
legal limit in his failed bid to win a provincial election.

While there is no legal impediment to Mr. Toews taking over the
justice post, Opposition leader Bill Graham said "there's a moral and
ethical problem that Toews will have to explain."

In appointing Mr. Toews, Prime Minister Stephen Harper went for a
hardline choice to oversee the Conservatives' ambitious law-and-order
agenda that focuses on stiffer punishment for criminals, including
youths.

Mr. Toews pleaded guilty last year to violating Manitoba's Election
Finances Act by spending more than the law allowed during the 1999
provincial election campaign when he was the attorney general. Mr.
Toews was fined $500 for spending $7,500 too much in his failed effort
to get re-elected.

He defended himself yesterday, saying he didn't deliberately
overspend, and that he took responsibility for the actions of his
campaign staff.

"I think that demonstrates some leadership that I am willing to take
responsibility even when I am not personally involved."

At the time of Mr. Toews' conviction, several Liberals called for his
resignation as justice critic, saying he had lost his
credibility.

Mr. Toews was not convicted under the Criminal Code and his conviction
does not mean he has a criminal record.

However, if he was fined for overspending in a federal election, he
would have been precluded from running again for another five years,
according to the Canada Elections Act.