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!