Liberal Candidate Chak Busted?

Oops... according to Canada.com, "Chak was born in Toronto but his family moved to Edmonton when he was a baby. A graduate of the University of Alberta, he has four academic degrees. He recently finished a doctorate in political science at the University of Durham in England." (no info on his own website right now, for some reason)

On his website, the following quote is posted: ""If you believe in identity as something you add to, not subtract from. If you believe in making room for others, opening your arms as wide as possible and that kindness is not weakness. If you believe in protecting our environment, strengthening our healthcare, women’s rights and that violence is never the solution – then VOTE CHAK in the riding of Edmonton-Millwoods-Beaumont." - Farhan Chak, PhD

Note those distinguished letters... PhD. So Janke, (who for reasons I can't fathom hasn't been hired to do this sort of thing full time) did some digging...

From: ******************* <**************@durham.ac.uk>
Sent: Thu May 03 06:31:18 2007
Subject: Re: Farhan Mujahid Chak

Dear Sir,

I write in response to your email requesting confirmation of the above named persons study at the University of Durham.

I can confirm that he first started his studies from 1 October 2000 on a postgraduate(research) course leading to a PhD, however for the academic year 2006/07 he is not registered with the University in order to continue with this course.

He certainly has not had this degree conferred, because he has not submitted his thesis yet and his name has not appeared on a pass list.

Now, I will go on record right now saying that it may just be that his paper has been handed in, and he's discussed it with his profs, and knows a pass is impending... so we will have to wait and see what develops from this.

However, if Mr. Chak has been caught lying... Mr. Dion, the acedemic, has just had his hand forced, I think.

Another h/t to the ever vigilant (and vigilante, you could say) Janke.