The Saga Ends
Council Reinstates Action
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The last chapter in this year’s Concordia Student Union election has finally been written, as the disqualified Action slate was reinstated at May 11’s special Council meeting.
“I’m really happy that Council decided to reconsider,” said Action presidential candidate Khalil Haddad. “For me, the most important motion was that the people that won from our slate, on Council and on Senate, have these positions for next year.”
President-elect and current CSU councillor Lex Gill had abstained from voting during the special meeting, citing her closeness to the issue. However, she did state her relief at next year’s Council being fully manned at the outset.
“On a political level, it is a relief to know we will be operating with a full and functional Council,” said Gill after the meeting.
Action and Your Concordia were both disqualified by former Chief Electoral Officer Oliver Cohen in April. Your Concordia was reinstated following a Judicial Board meeting on April 27, though at the time, Action’s disqualification was upheld.
“If JB thought that ‘Lights, Camera, blank’ was inappropriate, I take full responsibility for that,” said Haddad, referring to a charge that Action had been guilty of post-campaigning. “I don’t feel any of the candidates should take responsibility.”
The ruling means that those candidates on Action who had won their seats on Council and in the Senate will be allowed to take their seats. Most of the positions in question were as Council representatives for the John Molson School of Business. During the Council meeting, President Heather Lucas noted that if Action was not reinstated, JMSB would not be represented on any standing committees for next year, as they would be without councillors until a bi-election could be held in November.
“I honestly don’t think [not being reimbursed was] appropriate for us,” said Haddad. “In our case, we gave everything that was required by the deadline.”
During the April Judicial Board meeting, it was decided that Cohen’s decision that both slates would not be reimbursed for election expenses would be upheld. This, too, was overturned by council at the special meeting.
“I honestly don’t think [not being reimbursed was] appropriate for us,” said Haddad. “In our case, we gave everything that was required by the deadline.”
Haddad noted that during the JB hearing, Cohen acknowledged that he had left his office before the deadline for the submission of receipts, so there was no way to know if the slate had, in fact, gotten the proper paperwork in on time.
Gill said she was relieved that the candidates will be able to recoup their expenses as well, and also noted that it seemed the Judicial Board had only voted to uphold the docking of expenses because of a lack of other viable punitive options.
“I know for my part, the amount of money I put into our campaign was more than I think I pay in rent in a month,” said Gill. “I’m fairly certain that Khalil put forward almost all the expenses personally for Action. It’s a huge dent in terms of personal finances.”
During the Council meeting, several electoral reform ideas were put forth by Patrice Blais, a former CSU member, current professor and lawyer who has worked extensively with student groups. No votes were held on the suggestions, but they will be brought up at another special meeting to be held this week.
At the regular Council meeting held shortly after the special meeting, it was decided that Cohen’s replacement as CEO would be his former deputy, Bram Gold.
