Canada’s comedians try to bring some levity to the robocall scandal

We all understand that Canada's robocall scandal is no laughing matter.

If its true - if someone or some group deliberately misdirected voters to non-existent polling stations - then our democracy has indeed been jeopardized.

The gravity of the situation, however, didn't stop some of Canada's finest comedians from bringing some levity to the story this past weekend:

Comedian Sean Devlin at a robocall scandal protest in Vancouver: (Source: Vancouver Observer)

"First of all, the Harper Conservatives were elected to a majority government with less than 40 per cent of the votes...Four out of 10 happens to be a failing grade on a math test. It's also a losing -- and I repeat losing -- road trip for a hockey team. But perhaps most importantly, four in 10 isn't even enough dentists to credibly recommend you a tube of toothpaste.

If four in 10 isn't good enough for toothpaste, should it be good enough to run our country?

What I'm saying is that before this robo-fraud information came out, we already knew the Harper majority was a fake majority. Now we know it's a stolen fake majority. And really, who steals a fake? That's the work of an incompetent art thief at best."

Comedian David Pryde in an interview with Yahoo! Canada News:

" I can't hear robocall without thinking Robocop, which is of course completely different.

That movie predicted a dystopian future where government was corrupted by corporate interests and would stoop to anything to deceive the public and hold onto power

...Okay, maybe not so different."

Comedian Michael Balazo on CBC Radio's Day 6:

"Canada's robocall scandal is unprecedented in Canadian politics mostly because it's exciting and we're not used to that kind of thing.

Stephen Harper now says the Tories have nothing to do with this. I totally believe him. Aside from Proroguing parliament a couple of times, allowing his Cabinet to label his opponents as extremists or friends of child pornographers, and dueting with Yo Yo ma the guy is a straight shooter.

So, if not the Conservatives, who would stoop so low as to deliberately misdirect voters to non-existent polling stations?

These robocalls are an affront to democracy. They sully the integrity of some of the most honourable and fair minded politicians ever elected to office. And worse they dredge up unpleasant personal memories for yours truly.

I know how devastating [deceitful] robocalls can be. How would you feel if you received this call when you were six.

'Hello Michael this is a message from mother. I do not love you anymore. Have a nice time.'

I was 17 before I realized mom had nothing to do with that message and actually thinks I'm a swell guy."

Comedian Derek Seguin in an interview with Yahoo! Canada News:

"Obviously having a robotic calling system contacting voters and giving them misleading polling information is wrong and very un-Canadian.

But we might be on to something with using the robocallers as candidates in the next election. Did you hear any of those messages? That robot seems to have more charisma than most Conservative MPs.

And let's be honest, I don't think a robot could be any worse than what we've got now. Come to think of it, I think Stephen Harper himself might be a robot. Look at his hair. Is that stainless steel?"