[LINK] "Tories may have broken 2011 election rules with US Republican campaigners in Ontario"
David P. Ball's Vancouver Observer article makes the claim that the Conservative Party made use, illegally, of the services of an American political strategy company (and its workers) with close ties to the Republican Party in multiple ridings where there are allegations of electoral fraud.
Thoughts? I'm inclined to say this is mostly all ado about nothing, but, hey, who am I to judge?
In at least two Conservative-won ridings with reported election irregularities, Front Porch Strategies had US staff on the ground - possibly against Elections Canada rules barring foreign campaigning. In the wake of the “robocall” voter suppression scandal, the Republican-tied U.S. firm hired by 14 Conservative campaigns admitted on Friday to having had U.S. staff working "in the trenches" during the 2011 elections, in an apparent violation of the Canada Election Act which bars foreign political involvement.
Americans PJ Wenzel and Matthew Parker -- director and CEO of Front Porch Strategies, respectively - participated directly in at least two Canadian Conservative campaigns, according to social media updates and a photograph from the successful election campaigns of associate defence minister Julian Fantino and MP Rick Dykstra, immigration minister Jason Kenney's parliamentary secretary.
The revelations contradict Conservative party claims that Front Porch Strategies' only role during the election was to conduct telephone town halls.
“Matt and PJ headed to Toronto tomorrow to campaign for Conservative Candidates!” Front Porch Strategies posted on their official Facebook page on April 18, 2011. “Nothing like getting in the trenches with terrific people who are going to make a difference once elected.”
Below the photo was the caption: “Matt lending a hand for MP Fantino here in the greater Toronto area (GTA),” followed by a Front Porch Strategies comment three days later: “We need to get VoIP [Voice Over Internet Protocol] phones up there... dialing numbers is so 'old-fashioned'.... we need to get them the '21st Century Technology.'”
On April 20, a Twitter comment from the firm's account, @FPStrategies, announced, “Knocking doors for MP Rick Dykstra. People don't like liberals here!”
Although Front Porch has not been linked to any illegal phone calls or robocalls made in the last election, citizens in both Fantino and Dykstra's ridings have reported irregularities in the campaigns. Those allegations include reported misleading calls in Dykstra's riding (St. Catherines). Although Front Porch volunteered and made phone calls for Fantino in hopes of winning a contract, he did not hire them.
Under the Canada Elections Act section 331 (Non-interference by Foreigners), it is illegal for a non-resident to directly participate in election campaigns in Canada:
“No person who does not reside in Canada shall, during an election period, in any way induce electors to vote or refrain from voting or vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate unless the person is (a) a Canadian citizen; or (b) a permanent resident.”
If the violation was intentional, the offence carries a summary conviction, according to the Act.
Thoughts? I'm inclined to say this is mostly all ado about nothing, but, hey, who am I to judge?
In at least two Conservative-won ridings with reported election irregularities, Front Porch Strategies had US staff on the ground - possibly against Elections Canada rules barring foreign campaigning. In the wake of the “robocall” voter suppression scandal, the Republican-tied U.S. firm hired by 14 Conservative campaigns admitted on Friday to having had U.S. staff working "in the trenches" during the 2011 elections, in an apparent violation of the Canada Election Act which bars foreign political involvement.
Americans PJ Wenzel and Matthew Parker -- director and CEO of Front Porch Strategies, respectively - participated directly in at least two Canadian Conservative campaigns, according to social media updates and a photograph from the successful election campaigns of associate defence minister Julian Fantino and MP Rick Dykstra, immigration minister Jason Kenney's parliamentary secretary.
The revelations contradict Conservative party claims that Front Porch Strategies' only role during the election was to conduct telephone town halls.
“Matt and PJ headed to Toronto tomorrow to campaign for Conservative Candidates!” Front Porch Strategies posted on their official Facebook page on April 18, 2011. “Nothing like getting in the trenches with terrific people who are going to make a difference once elected.”
Below the photo was the caption: “Matt lending a hand for MP Fantino here in the greater Toronto area (GTA),” followed by a Front Porch Strategies comment three days later: “We need to get VoIP [Voice Over Internet Protocol] phones up there... dialing numbers is so 'old-fashioned'.... we need to get them the '21st Century Technology.'”
On April 20, a Twitter comment from the firm's account, @FPStrategies, announced, “Knocking doors for MP Rick Dykstra. People don't like liberals here!”
Although Front Porch has not been linked to any illegal phone calls or robocalls made in the last election, citizens in both Fantino and Dykstra's ridings have reported irregularities in the campaigns. Those allegations include reported misleading calls in Dykstra's riding (St. Catherines). Although Front Porch volunteered and made phone calls for Fantino in hopes of winning a contract, he did not hire them.
Under the Canada Elections Act section 331 (Non-interference by Foreigners), it is illegal for a non-resident to directly participate in election campaigns in Canada:
“No person who does not reside in Canada shall, during an election period, in any way induce electors to vote or refrain from voting or vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate unless the person is (a) a Canadian citizen; or (b) a permanent resident.”
If the violation was intentional, the offence carries a summary conviction, according to the Act.