B.C. Man Fined for Posting Election Results on the Internet

Earlier this month, a British Columbia manwasconvicted of violating the Canada Elections Act("the Act") and fined C$1,000for posting federal election results on the Internet. Paul Bryan is the only individual ever convicted under the provisions of the Act which make it an offence to publish election results in parts of the country where the polls are still open. Bryan published the results of the 2000 election on his Internet site as soon as they were available in each region of the country, before polls closed in BC. Hehad argued that the election gag law violated his free speech rights. He also argued that it was ineffective in an era of electronic communication. People living in western Canada can obtain the results from satellite broadcasts, or simply by picking up the phone and calling a friend or relative in the east. News organizations outside Canada routinely publish election results on their web sites as soon as they are available. Bryanhas said he intends to appeal the conviction and fine and to continue to oppose the existing law. For additional information, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?D28816154 Summary by: Michael Erdle