Robocalls may need regulating, elections chief tells MPs
Elections Canada may recommend the government regulate contact with voters during election campaigns, Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand told MPs today.
Following controversy over automated robocalls and live calls during the 2011 federal election, Mayrand says his next report will look at how new technology affects campaigning. Computer technology makes it much easier to call large groups of voters and to call them repeatedly.
The report will be presented by the end of this fiscal year next spring, Mayrand told MPs.
"The purpose of this report will be to suggest improvements to the Canada Elections Act in order to deal with a number of issues relating to new technologies and social media, as well as to how political entities communicate with electors during a general election.
"Among other things, it will address issues such as voter contacts, either through automated or live calls, and whether, or to what extent, these communications need to be regulated," he said.
Mayrand said the agency has received 1,100 complaints about misleading election calls, which redirected voters to the wrong polling stations.
But he said he had no new information about the investigation.
"It is ongoing and remains a priority for the Commissioner. However, until the investigation has been concluded, I am not in a position to provide additional information to the Committee," he said.
Mayrand also said Elections Canada is making it a priority to strengthen its procedures for voting day, following an Ontario Superior Court judge's decision to throw out the result of the federal election in Etobicoke Centre earlier this month.
The judge set aside 79 ballots because of irregularities at 10 polling stations in the riding, which was won by Conservative Ted Opitz by a margin of just 26 votes. Opitz is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
In his ruling, the judge said the case shook the "confidence that Canadians must have in our electoral process."
"In light of recent events, we have readjusted our plans, to place a major priority on strengthening measures aiming to improve compliance with the procedures and standards applicable on voting day," Mayrand said.
"Our intention is threefold: first, to review the voter registration and voting processes based on what transpired in Etobicoke Centre," Mayrand said.
"Second, to assess the effectiveness of existing checks and balances; and third, to engage key stakeholders in implementing solutions for the 2015 election. We believe this is critical regardless of the outcome of the appeal."
