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Ottawa-Vanier NDP candidate Emilie Taman appealed to the Federal Court Tuesday to overturn the Public Service Commission’s refusal to let her run in the federal election.

In the day-long hearing, Taman’s lawyer asked the Federal Court for a judicial review to set aside the PSC decision as “unreasonable” because it failed to balance her obligations to be a loyal and impartial public servant with her constitutional right to seek public office. It’s unclear whether the judge will have a decision before the election Oct. 19.

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Taman has been fired from her job as a federal prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) for abandoning her job when she took an unauthorized leave to seek the NDP nomination.

Taman said the outcome will have little impact on her because she made the decision to defy the PSC’s decision, but could help future prosecutors who may want to seek office.

The PSC has the exclusive authority to decide who can seek nominations and run in elections. Public servants who get approval can take leave without pay during the election period. If elected, they must leave the public service.