Opposition calling for emergency debate over robocalls
Posted Feb 27, 2012 05:11:52 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The federal Liberal party is expected to request an emergency debate in the House of Commons today to discuss the so-called “robocalls” scandal, which affected dozens of ridings during the last federal election.
The Grits are accusing the Harper Conservatives of orchestrating a campaign of dirty tricks in the May 2 election, but the Conservatives have denied the charges.
“We are entering into a Nixonian moment in our political culture where all sorts of dirty tricks seem to be possible, where all sorts of dirty tricks seem to be encouraged,” Rae told reporters.
It’s up to the Speaker of the House whether an emergency debate will be granted, although members are expecting a quick ruling.
The list of ridings affected by automated phone calls falsely informing voters that their polling station had moved appears to be growing.
New Democrat MP Pat Martin said he is aware of at least 34 ridings, although the NDP only lists 29.
The Liberal said they are aware of 27 affected ridings, but Rae said he expects the number to rise by Monday when the House of Commons resumes.
Liberal MP Mark Eyking’s riding of Sydney-Victoria was one of the affected ridings and he’s calling for a more widespread inquiry similar to the US investigation into Watergate.
“Not only of course should they be punished, it’s a criminal offence, there could be repercussions in some of these ridings,” Eyking told Maritime Morning, Sunday. “So, this could be major. Justice has to be done here and we have to get democracy back on track.”
He said he doesn’t want this issue to be a “one week wonder” but an issue which is dealt with thoroughly.
“There will be all kinds of so called games by the Conservatives to get this off the table,” he said. “I hope that there is a proper inquiry done on this and if there are people accountable, they’ve got to be held to bear.”
Elections Canada and police are currently believed to be looking into reports that automated calls in as many as 18 ridings falsely advised voters that the location of their polling stations had changed.
A staffer for a Conservative MP lost his job Friday, although no one is saying if the dismissal is related to the scandal.
It’s not yet clear if the robocall issue would have been enough to overturn any of the results from the last election.
