'Robo calls?' MP responds
To the editor,
Re: "Mr. Hiebert, do the right thing," May 10
I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight on the so-called ‘robo-calls’ issue raised by letter-writer R. Benoit.
First, the Conservative Party and its staff are not under investigation by Elections Canada.
Rather, we have been actively assisting Elections Canada because we want anyone responsible for breaking elections law brought to justice.
Second, the Guelph, Ontario riding where many improper calls were made during the 2011 election was won by a Liberal candidate, not a Conservative.
That Liberal candidate, now Liberal MP Frank Valeriote, has since confessed that, sadly, his campaign conducted illegal ‘robo-calls’ to attack the local Conservative candidate.
And, third, while the use of phone services to reach voters has certainly been demonized recently by the improper actions of a few, such services are essential to free and fair elections.
For instance, in the 2011 election, Elections Canada changed the locations of over 1000 polling stations during the campaign.
The ability of candidates and parties to use phone services to inform voters of the new polling locations and encourage them out to vote, strengthened our democracy.
Sincerely,
Russ Hiebert, MP
South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale
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