Paul Bickford and Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 11, 2008

DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION - Bobby Villeneuve, former MLA for Tu Nedhe, appeared in Justice of the Peace court on Friday afternoon after an arrest warrant had been issued for him earlier in the week.

The warrant was issued after Villeneuve failed to appear in Fort Resolution Territorial Court on Aug. 5 on a charge under the NWT's Elections and Plebiscites Act.

The former MLA is charged with failing to make a declaration concerning election expenses and contributions within the specified time period, contrary to Section 256 (2) of the act.

According to the RCMP, Villeneuve turned himself in to police Friday morning in Yellowknife, and appeared before a Justice of the Peace on Friday afternoon.

Crown attorney Roger Shepard requested Villeneuve be released on the condition that he show up for his next court date in Fort Resolution on Sept. 8.

Villeneuve spoke only to say he had no further questions on the matter.

Outside the courthouse Villeneuve appeared agitated and said the whole thing was "a grave misunderstanding." He said he had sent the necessary documents to Angela McKay, Villeneuve's official agent for his unsuccessful re-election bid last year, two or three weeks ago.

"I told her to pick this stuff up and get it done," said Villeneuve.

He said if McKay had sent the documents to Elections NWT when he asked her to there wouldn't have been a problem.

Villeneuve, now a resident of Yellowknife, said the papers are in Hay River and the matter should be cleared up soon.

The Aug. 5 court date in Fort Resolution was Villeneuve's first appearance date on the charge, related to last year's territorial election on Oct. 1.

"He was to appear Tuesday, the fifth of August in Fort Resolution," said Crown attorney Louise Proulx. "He did not and a warrant was issued for his arrest."

The warrant was issued by Judge R.A. Philp.

McKay is also charged under the act and she did show up in Territorial Court on Aug. 5.

McKay is charged with failing to transmit all of the financial documents relating to Villeneuve's candidacy to the Chief Electoral Officer within the required time period, contrary to Section 256 (1) of the act.

"Her matter was adjourned to Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. in Fort Resolution for plea," Proulx said.

The charges were initiated by chief electoral officer Saundra Arberry and they are being prosecuted by the federal Crown.

"They are two different charges, but it's a related investigation," Proulx said.

Candidates and their official agents have 60 days to submit financial reports following election day and can request a 60-day extension.

A summary of candidates' financial reports was publicized by the Chief Electoral Officer in mid-March, at which time eight reports had not been filed as required.

A second summary in early June contained reports from seven more candidates.

Only Villeneuve's was missing.

Arberry declined to comment on the charges against Villeneuve and McKay since they are before the courts.