Robocall affair

SINCE there’s no debate on the matter, Ottawa should waste no time in bringing in required legislation to beef up Elections Canada’s investigative powers and establish new rules for call centres doing election work for political parties.

That’s the logical conclusion after Parliament unambiguously backed — in a 283-0 vote — an NDP non-binding motion Monday evening that called for more scrutiny by Elections Canada over political parties’ activities in the wake of the robocall controversy that has dominated debate in the House of Commons, and in the news, over the last few weeks.

More specifically, the motion’s call for stronger powers for Elections Canada included the right to demand supporting documents from parties for expenses. Telecommunications firms hired to contact voters during a general election would have to register with Elections Canada and identify and verify the identity of their clients.

In other words, signing a contract with Pierre Poutine of Separatist Street in Joliette, Quebec — and not informing Elections Canada — would clearly not be allowed.


Though it’s far from clear what the extent, or real damage, of the robocall affair will prove to be, there’s no question that Elections Canada needs to be able to get to the bottom of what happened.

So the NDP’s sensible amendment — also passed with all-party support — that Elections Canada’s extended powers be made retroactive sends the message that Parliament is serious about protecting the integrity of this country’s electoral process.

As for NDP allegations that the governing Conservatives do not intend to take action despite their support of the motion, which called for legislation to be brought in within six months, the easiest way to dispel skepticism is for the Tories to move quickly to back up their words with deeds.

The proposed changes to the Elections Act are reasonable, appropriate and, we strongly suspect, popular with most Canadians.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government should make their passage an urgent priority.

Original Article
Source: the chronicle herald
Author: editorial