Criminal charges against two MPs; Kennedy Stewart pleads guilty

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A Burnaby MP and Vancouver mayoral candidate has pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court, while a similar case will proceed against the leader of the federal Green Party.

Burnaby South MP Kennedy Stewart pleaded guilty to the charges Monday morning just after the BC Prosecution Service said two special prosecutors found criminal charges are warranted.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May and Stewart were initially arrested together for civil contempt of court on Mar. 23, when they took part in blocking a gate at Kinder Morgan’s facility on Burnaby Mountain over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Stewart has to pay at $500 fine by Friday.

“The judge reiterated that this is not a Criminal Code offense — it’s not an indictable offense,” Stewart said. “It doesn’t have the same implications… For instance, I’m allowed to cross the border in the United States. It won’t affect any jobs in the future, those kind of things.”

He feels there has been a lot of confusion around what a guilty plea would mean for the future of his career, and that’s one of the reasons behind his decision. He also wanted to give other protesters an idea of what could happen when their court date comes.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Stewart said. “I took this job. I was elected member of parliament to stand up for my constituents, community and the West Coast. I was elected to do that and I think I’ve done it to the maximum of my ability in this position, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do it as mayor of Vancouver.”

Earlier this month, Stewart announced he is quitting federal politics to run for Vancouver’s mayor as an independent. He doesn’t believe his guilty plea will affect his chances.

“I’ve been fighting this pipeline since 2011. I’ve been trying to protect our coast and protect our economy. I’ll continue to do that. I hope it shows to people that I will stand up for them, stand up for the community.”

May’s case has been held over until May 28.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today