Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 214 (March 28, 2012)
Whispering in the Wind
PROVINCIAL ELECTION DAY: APRIL 23, 2012
For those that haven’t heard; Premier Alison Redford met with Lieutenant Governor Donald Ethell and dissolved Alberta’s Legislative Assembly – the campaign has been officially declared and Albertans will be going to the polls on Monday, April 23. As the various party leaders unfold their platforms and declare their slogans, it is worth noting that prior to dissolution: the Alberta PCs held 66 of the 83 seats in the Legislative Assembly; the Liberals had 8 seats; the Wildrose had 4 seats; the New Democrats had 2 seats; along with 1 seat for the Alberta Party, 1 Independent seat and 1 vacancy. It is also worth noting that in the 2008 election; of the eligible voters in Alberta 40.6 percent voted with the Alberta PCs capturing 53.6 percent of that vote. In the 2012 election, 87 seats are up for grabs (up from 83) and I predict the individual constituency contests will be interesting if not nasty. Following are a few of my preliminary views on what is going on with the party leaders; remember, the games have just begun:
1. Alison Redford wants CHANGE – Last October, Alison Redford won the leadership of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party based on her call for CHANGE and I suspect she will continue to call for CHANGE in this current campaign. In the lead up to this 2012 campaign Alison Redford has taken a lot of unwarranted, unjustified flack from the opposition parties; nevertheless she has addressed each one of the so called “scandals” with dispatch and with discipline – and that means CHANGE in some historical practices that appear to be entrenched in Alberta’s provincial governance.
2. Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party in their bid for electoral acceptance have generated a great deal of negative advertising and have labeled the PC party as a “Culture of Corruption” – a label that I personally find unacceptable, malicious and over the top – as well as reflective of the extremist politics that is so evident in the United States and elsewhere.
3. Raj Sherman, Alberta’s Liberal leader announced his “Yes” campaign recently and listed a number of issues that he wants to debate – including healthcare, tuition fees and reducing the number of MLAs in the Alberta legislature. Mr. Sherman does have a good understanding and some specific support in the healthcare sector, but enters the campaign as a Liberal without a full slate of Liberal candidates.
4. Brian Mason heads up the Alberta New Democrats and enters the 2012 campaign with the slogan: “Because Alberta Belongs to You – Let’s Fix Alberta.” Mr. Mason was the first leader to generate interest in escalating electricity rates and generated considerable interest throughout Alberta. The Alberta New Democrats are running a full slate of candidates with most of its apparent strength in Edmonton and northern Alberta. Last week a lot of political attention was paid to the election of Thomas Mulcair as head of the federal New Democratic Party. Mr. Mulcair has indicated that one of his political priorities is the Prairies – I wonder if Thomas Mulcair is going to be seen in Alberta over the next three weeks, giving Mr. Mason and Alberta New Democrats an important boost ?
5. The Alberta Party is headed by Glenn Taylor and has something like 27 candidates running in the 2012 campaign – no candidates are registered in northern Alberta. From my reading of the Alberta Party platform statement “We Can Dream Bigger” the prime focus seems to be on healthcare. What impressed me about the Alberta Party’s philosophy is that Albertans can work together and specifically doing it without negative advertising!
Friday, 30 March 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
The Latest on Alberta Election
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 213 (March 21, 2012)
Whispering in the Wind
Election Day in Alberta has yet to be officially declared but there is no question, voting day is coming and coming fast – here is my prediction: Election Day will be April 23rd with the writ issued on Tuesday, March 27th. Regardless of the actual date of the election the campaigns are well underway – in the last week or so I’ve detected that the parties have shifted gears with some disturbing currents surfacing – to me, what it suggests is that politics in Alberta over the next four, five weeks is going to be nasty and dirty.
“Danielle Smith: Not Worth the Risk”
The Alberta PC party has launched in the Calgary area a thought provoking ad campaign slogan which has gotten the attention of people throughout the province: “Danielle Smith: Not Worth the Risk”. To some the slogan is nothing but negative advertising and unbecoming of the Alberta PC’s who have guided the province to its current economic dominance in Canada. For me it shows that Alison Redford and the Progressive Conservatives are perplexed and a little concerned that their dominance is being challenged, particularly in southern Alberta. In my view, it is not negative advertising but a WAKE-UP call for Albertans to seriously think about the short and long term CONSEQUENCES of having many neophyte candidates playing a dominant role in Alberta’s next Legislative Assembly.
“Culture of Corruption”
While the Alberta PCs are testing their “Not Worth the Risk” campaign, the Wildrose party is flooding the internet with their slogan: “Culture of Corruption” and have issued a template for advertising their “culture of corruption” slogan at the constituency level. In my view Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party have every right and even the obligation to demonstrate the shortcomings of their adversaries – whether it be poor judgment, poor policy and bad decision making, bad or poor governance – and equally, if wanting to get elected; advocate alternative realistic solutions, actions and policies – at this point in time I’ve heard some unwarranted criticism and a lot of mud slinging but little in the way of recommendations and solutions, if elected. But to suggest that there is a conspiracy or a “culture of corruption” within the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party or within Alison Redford’s new cabinet team goes way over the top of decency and fair play, even in politics – to the campaign manager of the Wildrose, I’ve seen that type of extremism in Ottawa and it does not belong in Alberta conservative politics.
Strategic Voting:
“ChangeAlberta” is a newly formed “grassroots” organization that is advocating strategic voting in the 2012 Alberta election to assure the left leaning parties (Liberals, New Democrats, the Alberta Party and the EverGreens) to use strategic voting and assure incumbent members on the left are re-elected. Whether this so called group has any credibility among the left of center voters will become more evident in the weeks to come – I personally don’t see it having much impact.
Latest Poll –
The latest political survey in Alberta was undertaken in the first week of March by Abacus Data, indicates that the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party has 34 percent support of committed voters in Alberta; the Wildrose Party has 29 percent support; the Liberals have 18 percent support; the New Democratic Party garnered 14 percent support; with 5 percent of Albertans supporting other parties. If I read the background information correctly about 10 percent of voters are still uncommitted at the time of the Abacus survey. A couple of surprises came out from the Abacus survey; first, the Wildrose support has remained constant at 29 percent for the last three months and a good deal of that support is in southern Alberta. Another surprise is the bounce of the Liberal Party in the latest survey – for the last number of months the Liberal recorded about 13 percent support, the Abacus survey suggests that support has jumped to 18 percent at the expense of the Alberta PCs.
Whispering in the Wind
Election Day in Alberta has yet to be officially declared but there is no question, voting day is coming and coming fast – here is my prediction: Election Day will be April 23rd with the writ issued on Tuesday, March 27th. Regardless of the actual date of the election the campaigns are well underway – in the last week or so I’ve detected that the parties have shifted gears with some disturbing currents surfacing – to me, what it suggests is that politics in Alberta over the next four, five weeks is going to be nasty and dirty.
“Danielle Smith: Not Worth the Risk”
The Alberta PC party has launched in the Calgary area a thought provoking ad campaign slogan which has gotten the attention of people throughout the province: “Danielle Smith: Not Worth the Risk”. To some the slogan is nothing but negative advertising and unbecoming of the Alberta PC’s who have guided the province to its current economic dominance in Canada. For me it shows that Alison Redford and the Progressive Conservatives are perplexed and a little concerned that their dominance is being challenged, particularly in southern Alberta. In my view, it is not negative advertising but a WAKE-UP call for Albertans to seriously think about the short and long term CONSEQUENCES of having many neophyte candidates playing a dominant role in Alberta’s next Legislative Assembly.
“Culture of Corruption”
While the Alberta PCs are testing their “Not Worth the Risk” campaign, the Wildrose party is flooding the internet with their slogan: “Culture of Corruption” and have issued a template for advertising their “culture of corruption” slogan at the constituency level. In my view Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party have every right and even the obligation to demonstrate the shortcomings of their adversaries – whether it be poor judgment, poor policy and bad decision making, bad or poor governance – and equally, if wanting to get elected; advocate alternative realistic solutions, actions and policies – at this point in time I’ve heard some unwarranted criticism and a lot of mud slinging but little in the way of recommendations and solutions, if elected. But to suggest that there is a conspiracy or a “culture of corruption” within the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party or within Alison Redford’s new cabinet team goes way over the top of decency and fair play, even in politics – to the campaign manager of the Wildrose, I’ve seen that type of extremism in Ottawa and it does not belong in Alberta conservative politics.
Strategic Voting:
“ChangeAlberta” is a newly formed “grassroots” organization that is advocating strategic voting in the 2012 Alberta election to assure the left leaning parties (Liberals, New Democrats, the Alberta Party and the EverGreens) to use strategic voting and assure incumbent members on the left are re-elected. Whether this so called group has any credibility among the left of center voters will become more evident in the weeks to come – I personally don’t see it having much impact.
Latest Poll –
The latest political survey in Alberta was undertaken in the first week of March by Abacus Data, indicates that the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party has 34 percent support of committed voters in Alberta; the Wildrose Party has 29 percent support; the Liberals have 18 percent support; the New Democratic Party garnered 14 percent support; with 5 percent of Albertans supporting other parties. If I read the background information correctly about 10 percent of voters are still uncommitted at the time of the Abacus survey. A couple of surprises came out from the Abacus survey; first, the Wildrose support has remained constant at 29 percent for the last three months and a good deal of that support is in southern Alberta. Another surprise is the bounce of the Liberal Party in the latest survey – for the last number of months the Liberal recorded about 13 percent support, the Abacus survey suggests that support has jumped to 18 percent at the expense of the Alberta PCs.
Alberta Election - update
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 212 (March 14, 2012)
Whispering in the Wind
Robo-calls, Dirty Politics or What?
Understanding democratic elections in Canada; how they are conducted and managed by the various political parties and how individual candidate tactics are being used to influence voter turnout and election outcomes has recently become a hodgepodge of confusion with intentional misstatements that further muddies the political waters in Canada – all a result of Canada’s federal election in 2008 which is now being challenged in 2012 with something like 31,000 complaints registered with Canada’s non-partisan, federal elections “watchdog”. The accusations made generally relate to the use of “robocall” technology to conduct “voter suppression” and out-right election “fraud” during the 2008 federal election – in up to 40 ridings across the country. The latest information indicates that Elections Canada has identified a key person in the Guelph robo-call scandal who might be able to answer the all important question: was the so called voter suppression and fraudulent robo-calls in Guelph a part of a coordinated strategy or were the robo-calls isolated events confined to just a few ridings? In the meantime Bob Rae, interim leader of the federal Liberals, has asked for a Royal Commission on the matter – to me an overstatement – let’s let Elections Canada do its job, the only thing I ask is that Elections Canada be swift and harsh in its investigations, determinations and judgments.
In Alberta –
As the robo-call scandal unfolds in Ottawa, election campaign strategies are starting to unfold in Alberta and I wonder which party will dare to use a “robo-call” component in their communication plans – to me, at their peril.
My Experience –
Last week, I (and my wife) received a number of those irritating telephone calls that asks me (us) to buy a product or service, including one call that doesn’t even respond to a “hello”. Let me re-cap what has gone on in the Shaske household over the last couple of months and I think you will agree that things have gone from an irritation to unjustified, unwarranted, unacceptable harassment. On average our household receives two or three telephone calls a week asking us to buy or commit to some sort of product or service – we find those calls irritating and at times, harassing – actually about a week ago, I received three calls in one day from a robo-caller who wants me to buy some sort of electricity contract. About three weeks ago and for about a week, we got three calls that asked for our political opinions and who we might vote for in the expected election in Alberta. Initially I answered honestly (by pushing a button on the telephone set) thinking it was one of those “legitimate” polling companies. The last call came from what I consider to be a specific party using the robo-call technology – I was asked to offer my first and second choices, should an Alberta election be held, I responded honestly and for my second choice received a scripted condemnation of my choice, I hung up and it will be a long time before I participate in another telephone survey. I subsequently (on March 8) telephoned Alberta Elections and explained my circumstance and was referred to Elections Canada; I called Elections Canada and was later phoned back with the suggestion that I give another call to Alberta Elections. If I were to summarize my views on these harassing calls from robots – your tech masters should be sued for harassment and yes it will affect my future voting.
Whispering in the Wind
Robo-calls, Dirty Politics or What?
Understanding democratic elections in Canada; how they are conducted and managed by the various political parties and how individual candidate tactics are being used to influence voter turnout and election outcomes has recently become a hodgepodge of confusion with intentional misstatements that further muddies the political waters in Canada – all a result of Canada’s federal election in 2008 which is now being challenged in 2012 with something like 31,000 complaints registered with Canada’s non-partisan, federal elections “watchdog”. The accusations made generally relate to the use of “robocall” technology to conduct “voter suppression” and out-right election “fraud” during the 2008 federal election – in up to 40 ridings across the country. The latest information indicates that Elections Canada has identified a key person in the Guelph robo-call scandal who might be able to answer the all important question: was the so called voter suppression and fraudulent robo-calls in Guelph a part of a coordinated strategy or were the robo-calls isolated events confined to just a few ridings? In the meantime Bob Rae, interim leader of the federal Liberals, has asked for a Royal Commission on the matter – to me an overstatement – let’s let Elections Canada do its job, the only thing I ask is that Elections Canada be swift and harsh in its investigations, determinations and judgments.
In Alberta –
As the robo-call scandal unfolds in Ottawa, election campaign strategies are starting to unfold in Alberta and I wonder which party will dare to use a “robo-call” component in their communication plans – to me, at their peril.
My Experience –
Last week, I (and my wife) received a number of those irritating telephone calls that asks me (us) to buy a product or service, including one call that doesn’t even respond to a “hello”. Let me re-cap what has gone on in the Shaske household over the last couple of months and I think you will agree that things have gone from an irritation to unjustified, unwarranted, unacceptable harassment. On average our household receives two or three telephone calls a week asking us to buy or commit to some sort of product or service – we find those calls irritating and at times, harassing – actually about a week ago, I received three calls in one day from a robo-caller who wants me to buy some sort of electricity contract. About three weeks ago and for about a week, we got three calls that asked for our political opinions and who we might vote for in the expected election in Alberta. Initially I answered honestly (by pushing a button on the telephone set) thinking it was one of those “legitimate” polling companies. The last call came from what I consider to be a specific party using the robo-call technology – I was asked to offer my first and second choices, should an Alberta election be held, I responded honestly and for my second choice received a scripted condemnation of my choice, I hung up and it will be a long time before I participate in another telephone survey. I subsequently (on March 8) telephoned Alberta Elections and explained my circumstance and was referred to Elections Canada; I called Elections Canada and was later phoned back with the suggestion that I give another call to Alberta Elections. If I were to summarize my views on these harassing calls from robots – your tech masters should be sued for harassment and yes it will affect my future voting.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
robo-calls
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 211 (March 7, 2012)
Whispering in the Wind
Federal Conservatives in Turmoil!
The “robo-call” scandal has dominated Canadian politics for a couple of weeks now and indications are that there will be even more bickering and controversy in the House of Commons for weeks to come – or at least until the end of the month when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tables the government’s 2012 budget. Last week Mr. Flaherty announced that he will be tabling the Conservative budget in the House of Commons on March 29th and that means even more controversy, bickering and name calling on another extremely important issue for Canadians. It is interesting that Mr. Flaherty pointed out that the budget will be tabled without all the details – to me, that could mean that the federal Conservatives have recently changed their fiscal minds due to the current political landscape; or the economic situation is more desperate than first thought. In either case it’s not good news for Canada – just how bad the federal government’s situation is will have to wait until March 29. I might be jumping the gun on Canada’s fiscal situation but there is no question in my mind; Prime Minister Harper’s premature use of “closure” in the House of Commons and his general style of “majority government” governance is not suited to building consensus when addressing the numerous conflict issues that have emerged – remember: Attawapiskat and other First Nations questions of dependence related to so called treaty rights; the Keystone XL and Northern Gateway Pipeline proposals and the lack of a Canadian Energy Strategy; the addressing and selling of a better Social Security system in light of demographic trends; and now of course, the 2012 budget and the question of fraudulent electioneering tactics in the last federal election.
Robo-calls, an Un-regulated Fiasco –
Passing judgment on who did what to whom in the 2011 federal election campaign is not going to be an easy task for Elections Canada. According to Elections Canada, they’ve received something like 31,000 “contacts” regarding the 2011 election campaign, and each contact, if legitimate, will have to be investigated and dealt with – in past federal elections the complaint levels or “contacts” made to Elections Canada were at about 1,000 or less. According to Conservative spokesman, Dean Del Mastro (Prime Minister Harper’s parliamentary secretary), it will be up to Elections Canada to deal with the issue and it will be up to Elections Canada to separate the “wheat from the chaff.” The opposition parties have a much different perspective on the issue; they want to have a “public inquiry” and when it comes down to it, I think they want to see by-elections. How this electoral mess gets sorted out and who sorts it out is not going to be easy and it could take a lot of time, possibly years. That’s why I think it has to be settled in the political arena rather than through a judicial body such as Elections Canada. Yes, Elections Canada will have to continue its work and do its job but the issues can be substantially expedited with an “all party task force” which would seek resignations if it is agreed that there is unwarranted, unjustified harassment, intimidation and / or fraud – its that simple. Another avenue that will have to be pursued if we are to see a more democratic electoral system in Canada, is the control and legitimacy of the so called “robo-call” method of advertising political views – here the so called “robo-call” firms (including RackNine out of Edmonton) should be held at least partially responsible for the message they are transmitting; who they transmit the message to and when the message is transmitted – that means a code of conduct and more regulation of these “for profit” firms.
The “robo-call” Scandal, Will There Be an Alberta Twist?
Albertans will be going to the polls within the next two months and a question comes to my mind; will Albertans be inundated with robo-calls from Alberta’s political parties? Will there be any robo-call harassment, intimidation or fraud? I suppose we will have to wait and see but I do think the various parties are re-thinking their communication strategies in light of what is going on in Ottawa.
Whispering in the Wind
Federal Conservatives in Turmoil!
The “robo-call” scandal has dominated Canadian politics for a couple of weeks now and indications are that there will be even more bickering and controversy in the House of Commons for weeks to come – or at least until the end of the month when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tables the government’s 2012 budget. Last week Mr. Flaherty announced that he will be tabling the Conservative budget in the House of Commons on March 29th and that means even more controversy, bickering and name calling on another extremely important issue for Canadians. It is interesting that Mr. Flaherty pointed out that the budget will be tabled without all the details – to me, that could mean that the federal Conservatives have recently changed their fiscal minds due to the current political landscape; or the economic situation is more desperate than first thought. In either case it’s not good news for Canada – just how bad the federal government’s situation is will have to wait until March 29. I might be jumping the gun on Canada’s fiscal situation but there is no question in my mind; Prime Minister Harper’s premature use of “closure” in the House of Commons and his general style of “majority government” governance is not suited to building consensus when addressing the numerous conflict issues that have emerged – remember: Attawapiskat and other First Nations questions of dependence related to so called treaty rights; the Keystone XL and Northern Gateway Pipeline proposals and the lack of a Canadian Energy Strategy; the addressing and selling of a better Social Security system in light of demographic trends; and now of course, the 2012 budget and the question of fraudulent electioneering tactics in the last federal election.
Robo-calls, an Un-regulated Fiasco –
Passing judgment on who did what to whom in the 2011 federal election campaign is not going to be an easy task for Elections Canada. According to Elections Canada, they’ve received something like 31,000 “contacts” regarding the 2011 election campaign, and each contact, if legitimate, will have to be investigated and dealt with – in past federal elections the complaint levels or “contacts” made to Elections Canada were at about 1,000 or less. According to Conservative spokesman, Dean Del Mastro (Prime Minister Harper’s parliamentary secretary), it will be up to Elections Canada to deal with the issue and it will be up to Elections Canada to separate the “wheat from the chaff.” The opposition parties have a much different perspective on the issue; they want to have a “public inquiry” and when it comes down to it, I think they want to see by-elections. How this electoral mess gets sorted out and who sorts it out is not going to be easy and it could take a lot of time, possibly years. That’s why I think it has to be settled in the political arena rather than through a judicial body such as Elections Canada. Yes, Elections Canada will have to continue its work and do its job but the issues can be substantially expedited with an “all party task force” which would seek resignations if it is agreed that there is unwarranted, unjustified harassment, intimidation and / or fraud – its that simple. Another avenue that will have to be pursued if we are to see a more democratic electoral system in Canada, is the control and legitimacy of the so called “robo-call” method of advertising political views – here the so called “robo-call” firms (including RackNine out of Edmonton) should be held at least partially responsible for the message they are transmitting; who they transmit the message to and when the message is transmitted – that means a code of conduct and more regulation of these “for profit” firms.
The “robo-call” Scandal, Will There Be an Alberta Twist?
Albertans will be going to the polls within the next two months and a question comes to my mind; will Albertans be inundated with robo-calls from Alberta’s political parties? Will there be any robo-call harassment, intimidation or fraud? I suppose we will have to wait and see but I do think the various parties are re-thinking their communication strategies in light of what is going on in Ottawa.
Friday, 2 March 2012
robo-calls
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 210 (February 29, 2012)
Whispering in the Wind
Last week’s “robocall” scandal hit Ottawa’s political scene with a vengeance and the fallout could have an impact on how Canadians view the country’s election process – never mind the impact that this scandal could have on Prime Minister Harper and his 12 seat majority government. The prime allegation voiced by NDP and the Liberal leaders is not very complicated, or at least it wasn’t – the opposition parties have claimed that in last year’s federal election, Conservative operatives (claiming to be Election Canada officials) contacted selected voters in selected ridings and directed these voters to non-existent polling stations. The NDP and Liberal parties have gone even further and are also accusing the federal Conservatives; that in last year’s election, they suppressed the voter’s democratic rights in the electoral process; not only through deception but also through unethical voter harassment. Election Canada and the RCMP are now investigating – former chief of Election Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley has indicated in media interviews that; the allegations, if substantiated, are very serious and could end up in possible by-elections, fines and even jail time for perpetrators. My take on the situation as it exists, and things are changing daily:
1. I’m pretty sure that Prime Minister Harper can claim that he was not aware of Conservative operatives claiming to be Election Canada officials. Nevertheless and unfortunately Mr. Harper will have to accept responsibility – and that’s not good news Canada.
2. Mr. Harper has a 12 seat majority in the House of Commons. If by-elections are called by a federal judge and there are sufficient vote swings Mr. Harper could, again be heading-up a minority government. Liberal leader Bob Rae is reporting that 40 ridings should be reviewed by Elections Canada. I’ve read that about fourteen ridings under review were won by the Conservatives in the 2011 election and won by narrow margins – in total the Conservatives won the 14 seats by something like 6,500 votes. In one case the Conservatives won by 25 votes. In my view, it might be good political strategy for the Conservatives to accept resignations from those Members of Parliament who have obviously broken the law and accept the consequences.
3. RackNine a “robocall” company in Edmonton is apparently associated with a number of Conservative Party of Canada officials, including work done in Stephen Harper’s riding. RackNine is apparently the firm where many of the telephone calls were made that claim Election Canada authority. RackNine claims that they are cooperating with Election Canada but stress that the telephone calls were made through their system and not by them – to me, an astounding response.
4. Albertans will be going to the polls within the next couple of months. I sincerely hope that the political parties in Alberta don’t steep to using a robocall strategy in trying to get my vote. I’ve gotten to the point that I will not respond to any solicitation or survey requested by phone – I just hang up.
5. We haven’t heard the last of this one!
Whispering in the Wind
Last week’s “robocall” scandal hit Ottawa’s political scene with a vengeance and the fallout could have an impact on how Canadians view the country’s election process – never mind the impact that this scandal could have on Prime Minister Harper and his 12 seat majority government. The prime allegation voiced by NDP and the Liberal leaders is not very complicated, or at least it wasn’t – the opposition parties have claimed that in last year’s federal election, Conservative operatives (claiming to be Election Canada officials) contacted selected voters in selected ridings and directed these voters to non-existent polling stations. The NDP and Liberal parties have gone even further and are also accusing the federal Conservatives; that in last year’s election, they suppressed the voter’s democratic rights in the electoral process; not only through deception but also through unethical voter harassment. Election Canada and the RCMP are now investigating – former chief of Election Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley has indicated in media interviews that; the allegations, if substantiated, are very serious and could end up in possible by-elections, fines and even jail time for perpetrators. My take on the situation as it exists, and things are changing daily:
1. I’m pretty sure that Prime Minister Harper can claim that he was not aware of Conservative operatives claiming to be Election Canada officials. Nevertheless and unfortunately Mr. Harper will have to accept responsibility – and that’s not good news Canada.
2. Mr. Harper has a 12 seat majority in the House of Commons. If by-elections are called by a federal judge and there are sufficient vote swings Mr. Harper could, again be heading-up a minority government. Liberal leader Bob Rae is reporting that 40 ridings should be reviewed by Elections Canada. I’ve read that about fourteen ridings under review were won by the Conservatives in the 2011 election and won by narrow margins – in total the Conservatives won the 14 seats by something like 6,500 votes. In one case the Conservatives won by 25 votes. In my view, it might be good political strategy for the Conservatives to accept resignations from those Members of Parliament who have obviously broken the law and accept the consequences.
3. RackNine a “robocall” company in Edmonton is apparently associated with a number of Conservative Party of Canada officials, including work done in Stephen Harper’s riding. RackNine is apparently the firm where many of the telephone calls were made that claim Election Canada authority. RackNine claims that they are cooperating with Election Canada but stress that the telephone calls were made through their system and not by them – to me, an astounding response.
4. Albertans will be going to the polls within the next couple of months. I sincerely hope that the political parties in Alberta don’t steep to using a robocall strategy in trying to get my vote. I’ve gotten to the point that I will not respond to any solicitation or survey requested by phone – I just hang up.
5. We haven’t heard the last of this one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)