Tory MP Opitz takes pass on Ukraine monitoring, awaits Supreme Court ruling

OTTAWA – Conservative MP Ted Opitz will forgo a trip to monitor Ukraine’s elections, remaining in Ottawa for the Supreme Court of Canada’s historic decision in his case.

Canada’s highest court will issue its ruling Thursday morning on whether Opitz legitimately won his seat in the Toronto riding of Etobicoke Centre in the May 2011 federal election.

Opitz is appealing an Ontario Superior Court ruling that set aside his narrow, 26-vote victory in Etobicoke Centre over Liberal incumbent Borys Wrzesnewskyj, after identifying procedural irregularities with 79 ballots.

It will be first time the Supreme Court has ruled on the validity of an election result in a federal riding.

Opitz’s office says he won’t be joining 10 fellow MPs from the Conservatives, NDP and Liberals who were to depart Ottawa Wednesday to monitor Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

His office says Opitz still hopes to go on the mission, depending on the ruling.