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OTTAWA — Former candidates who still owe money from the 2006 Liberal leadership campaign won’t be taken to court by Elections Canada, the country’s elections commissioner has ruled.

Instead, Yves Cote suggested Tuesday that the candidates pay the money back in a timely manner.

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Conservatives have been demanding that Elections Canada impose penalties on Liberals who’ve failed to pay back loans taken out during their December 2006 leadership contest.

But the law as it is currently written is unenforceable, Cote said.

“The commissioner has concluded that the Act, as currently drafted, lacks sufficient clarity to support enforcement action in the criminal courts with respect to loans or claims that remain unpaid following the expiry of an extension,” Elections Canada said in a statement.

“Therefore, no enforcement action can be taken against the leadership contestants in relation to their unpaid debts.”