Cameron Ortis, convicted RCMP leaker, granted bail pending appeal – National [Video]

Cameron Ortis, the former RCMP intelligence official who was found guilty of attempting to sell secrets, has been granted bail pending an appeal of his conviction and sentence.

Jon Doody, a lawyer for Ortis, confirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision to Global News on Friday. The decision is expected to be released publicly next week, he said, after which he anticipates Ortis to be released from prison.

The ex-RCMP officer was found guilty in November of breaching Canada’s Security of Information Act, the country’s official secrets law.

Ortis was expected to serve seven years in prison — part of a 14-year sentence with time served that was handed down in February, but well short of the 20-plus years sought by the Crown. The sentence had taken into account his time spent behind bars and on bail since his 2019 arrest. His defence team had suggested he should be released based on time already served.