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CENSUS TRIAL:A JUDGE HAS RESERVED HIS DECISION FOR A MONTH -- IN THE TRIAL OF A KINGSTON MAN WHO'S ACCUSED OF FAILING TO COMPLETE THE 2006 CENSUS.
March 05, 2009
A JUDGE HAS RESERVED HIS DECISION FOR A MONTH -- IN THE TRIAL OF A KINGSTON MAN WHO'S ACCUSED OF FAILING TO COMPLETE THE 2006 CENSUS. TODD STELMACH, WHO'S A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN, SAYS THE CENSUS WAS TIED TO AN AMERICAN WEAPONS MAKER.
NEWSWATCH'S STU HAY REPORTS FROM THE BROCKVILLE COURTHOUSE.
IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY, BUT KINGSTON RESIDENT TODD STELMACH FINALLY HAD HIS DAY IN COURT.
HE'S CHARGED WITH REFUSING TO FILL OUT THE 2006 CANADIAN CENSUS.
A CRIME THAT COULD GET HIM SENT TO JAIL.
BUT AFTER HEARING THE EVIDENCE, THE JUDGE TOLD THE COURT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL FOR HIS VERDICT.
TODD STELMACH
"IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THIS ALL OVER..THAT'S FOR SURE."
STELMACH, WHO REPRESENTED HIMSELF IN COURT, HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED THIS TRIAL WAS NOT ABOUT HIS GUILT OR INNOCENCE.
IN COURT HE FREELY ADMITTED TO REFUSING THE FILL OUT THE CENSUS.
BUT INSTEAD HE SAW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONTRACTING OUT SOME OF THE CENSUS WORK TO LOCKHEED MARTIN.
A COMPANY HE DESCRIBES AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST MANUFACTURES OF WEAPONS OF WAR.
AND ONE HE REFUSES TO BE CONNECTED WITH FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS.
TODD
"AS A CHRISTIAN I DON'T BELIVE THAT I SHOULD BE SUPPORTING MILITARISM, WAR OR WAR PROFITEERING.
ALL THESE THINGS ARE THINGS THAT LOCKHEED MARTIN IS A PART OF."
AND HE'S NOT ALONE.
WHEN STELMACH ARRIVED FOR COURT THIS MORNING, HE WAS GREETED BY A GROUP OF SUPPORTERS CARRYING SIGNS OF PROTEST.
THEY ALONG WITH STELMACH THINK THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IS WRONG TO CONTRACT OUT CENSUS WORK TO LOCKHEED-MARTIN.
DAVID MILNE
"WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MANY CANADIANS WHO, IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF LOCKHEED MARTIN WOULD BE OPPOSED TO IT AS WELL."
PETER MORRISON IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CENSUS PROGRAM AND THE ONLY WITNESS CALLED BY THE CROWN.
HE TOLD COURT THE CENSUS IS VITAL TO THE RUNNING OF THIS COUNTRY.
PETER MORRISON
'EVERY CITY, EVERY COMMUNITY, EVERY TOWN WILL RECEIVE FUNDING TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION, EMERGENCY SERVICES.
SO ITS UTILIZATION IS CRITICAL."
AND STELMACH AGREES.
BUT HE SAYS IN THE END, HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE MORE IMPORTANT.
THE JUDGE WILL HAND DOWN HIS DECISION APRIL 6TH.
STU HAY CKWS NEWSWATCH BROCKVILLE.
NO CANADIAN HAS EVER BEEN SENT TO JAIL FOR REFUSING TO FILL OUT THE CENSUS. BUT STELMACH COULD STILL FACE A FINE UP TO 500 DOLLARS.
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