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.