Crown wants 28-year sentence for Cameron Ortis, ex-RCMP intelligence official guilty of leaking secrets

Arguing it's a fitting punishment for someone who betrayed his country, the Crown today called for Cameron Ortis — the former RCMP intelligence official found guilty late last year of leaking secret information to police targets — to be sentenced to nearly 30 years behind bars.

Crown prosecutor Judy Kliewer told an Ottawa courtroom Thursday morning that two consecutive sentences totalling 28 years in prison is «not only an appropriate but a necessary sentence.»

«His conduct betrayed the RCMP. It betrayed the Five Eyes,» she said, referring to Canada's international intelligence partners.

«It jeopardized the safety of Canadians because his conduct put at risk the ability of Canada to keep receiving information it needs to keep Canadian interests safe, protect national security.»

The Crown also argued that if the judge decides 28 years is too long, a sentence of 22 to 25 years, minus time served, would be «proportionate.»

The Crown side said Ortis should be credited five years and four months for time already served behind bars.

Defence argues for no more time served

The defence, meanwhile, is arguing that the former civilian member of the RCMP should serve no more time in custody.

Defence lawyer Jon Doody began his arguments Thursday afternoon by suggesting Ortis endured hardships during his three years in custody waiting for his trial to begin, including time in lockdowns and in isolation.

Doody argued that Ortis's health may have been put at risk between 2019 and 2022 because he was subjected to X-ray scans every time he left or returned to the jail — roughly 600 scans in total. Due to the security concerns in this case, Ortis could only review disclosure in a secure offsite location.

«We don't know what Mr. Ortis's health will