- Parties: The appellant was Rebel News Network Ltd. The respondents were Canada (Commissioner of Canada Elections) and the Attorney General of Canada. 

- Subject Matter: On Jan. 12, 2021, the Deputy Commissioner of Canada Elections issued two notices of violation (NOVs) for the appellant’s alleged violations of ss. 352 and 353(1) of the Canada Elections Act, 2000, with an administrative monetary penalty of $1,500 per violation. These NOVs concerned lawn signs that the appellant distributed during the election period beginning on Sept. 11, 2019 (when the federal election was called) and ending on Oct. 21, 2019 (when the federal election was held). The lawn signs included a reference to a book authored by Ezra Levant. The NOVs did not restrict the book’s publication or distribution. The appellant requested a de novo review of the deputy commissioner’s decision. On July 12, 2021, the Commissioner of Canada Elections maintained the issuance of the NOVs. The appellant sought judicial review of the commissioner’s decision. 

- Ruling: The appeal court ruled in the respondents’ favour and dismissed the appeal. The appeal court deemed reasonable the commissioner’s findings that paragraph (b) of the definition of election advertising was inapplicable and that the distribution of the lawn signs was thus election advertising. 

- Date: The hearing was set on Nov. 27, 2024. The appeal court released its decision on Jan. 6, 2025. 

- Venue: This was a federal case before the Federal Court of Appeal. 

- Amount: The appeal court awarded costs in an unspecified amount.