Recently I have read reports in the media that lead me to believe there is no substantive investigation of the complaints of fraudulent and deceptive calls that occurred during the 2011 federal election, calls known as “robocalls.”
My understanding is that Elections Canada has not sought phone or Internet records for any calls beyond Guelph, Ont. Apparently, Elections Canada has not sought court-ordered search warrants on phone and Internet companies. It would appear that no investigation is taking place in regards to robocalls to get to the bottom of calls in other ridings.
As a citizen of Canada I find these reports shocking.
If, in fact, no investigation or a limited investigation of the fraudulent and deceptive robocalls has been or is being conducted by Elections Canada, then it must immediately remove itself from the investigation. Elections Canada must hand over any and all material pertinent to the investigation to the RCMP and/or other appropriate body to conduct an investigation that is not in any way influenced by the current federal government of Stephen Harper.
It is well known that the government of Stephen Harper stands to gain the most from an investigation that is not open and transparent. His government is also well known for repeatedly positioning itself as the “law and order” government.
Now is their greatest opportunity to prove it, by immediately commencing an open, transparent investigation.
But I am not going to be delusional in believing Stephen Harper would be party to such an open and transparent investigation of the robocall scandal. One need only review the efforts of seven Conservative MPs to stop robocall court cases in their ridings. The rhetoric of law and order is self-serving when coming from the mouth of Stephen Harper and his comrades, because their application of “law and order” is so selective.
I would say that what Canada is witnessing is nothing less than treachery.
Clyde Mobbley
President
Parry Sound-Muskoka NDP Riding Association