An attempt to evade paying full GST while importing a boat has proven to be an expensive mistake for an Alberta man.
Earlier this month, Brian Wilson was found guilty by Judge Karl Bazin of making false statements at the North Portal Port of Entry, when he undervalued the boat he was importing by more than $50,000. He claimed the price to be about $5,500, when it had actually cost more than $57,000.
In Estevan provincial court on Monday, it was noted that under his valued price, Wilson would pay about $263 in GST, when he would have expected to pay closer to $2,700. The Crown said Wilson was attempting to evade the payment of $2,532 in GST.
The Crown suggested a fine of $5,000 was appropriate in Wilson's case, which was based on double the revenue lost in taxes.
Bazin asked if Wilson had been required to pay a civil penalty as well, and that's where the Alberta man was particularly dinged.
The Crown noted he paid a penalty of $27,358 for the release of the boat, as well as another $1,500 for the release of a generator that he also undervalued when crossing the border.
The civil penalty was calculated as 55 per cent of the undervaluing of the goods Wilson was importing.
Wilson said if the Crown's concern was deterrence, the civil penalty was plenty sufficient. The Crown, however, noted the civil penalty and the criminal fine were two entirely separate things and that in these matters, it is standard for both a civil penalty and fine to be levied.
Bazin ordered the $5,000 fine and set a time limit of three months, warning Wilson if the fine wasn't paid, and he took no steps to receive a payment extension, he would likely be looking at jail.
In other court proceedings, Evan Kallis was in custody after being arrested on the weekend. He was facing charges of theft under $5,000 and breaching conditions. He pleaded guilty to all charges on Monday, and the Crown proceeded with sentencing.
Kallis was recently released from jail after serving a 45-day stint he was sentenced to in September. He got out on Oct. 12, and these charges stem from several incidents between Oct. 21 and 27.
The 22-year-old Estevan resident pleaded guilty to stealing about $2,000 from the vault of a local business. He also pleaded guilty to stealing a wallet with $5 inside and a purse with $30.
Kallis told Bazin, "I don't know why I did it. It's just stupidity."
Bazin responded that, "Each offence by itself is small, but it causes nothing but havoc in the community."
He warned Kallis, who has a lengthy criminal record, that if his behaviour continues, he could end up facing federal time for more petty thefts.
