Christopher ready to run. Still doesn't like $100 fee

A Sault Ste. Marie man who took the city and province to court over a $100 deposit required to run in a municipal election says he has come into some money and won’t be seeking an injunction.

Christopher Newman told SooToday last month that he wanted to run for one of Sault Ste. Marie’s 12 council seats in the municipal election this fall but couldn’t afford the deposit required by law because he receives most of his income from the Ontario Disability Support Program.

The part-time paralegal took the matter to court, hoping to argue the fee - refundable only if a candidate receives two percent of the vote - is unconstitutional and discriminates against people with disabilities.

He had been expected to seek an injunction this week that would allow him to file his nomination papers before the Sept. 12 deadline, but in an email to SooToday Newman said he has had a recent “influx of business income.”

“As a result, I will be filing a nomination paper in the near future,” wrote Newman.

Newman, 35, hasn’t changed his tune when it comes to the fairness of the $100 fee, noting in his latest court filing that he will consider expanding his Charter challenge.

The municipal election takes place Oct. 27.

Newman did not indicate which ward he plans to run in.

Is $100 too high a price to pay for democracy? Christopher thinks so