Israeli-Canadian crowdsourcing to fly in voters for Harper

A lawyer based in Jerusalem is raising money — and eyebrows — with an online crowdsourcing effort aimed at flying expats to Canada to campaign and vote for the Conservatives’ Stephen Harper.

Dan Illouz, born and educated in Montreal, launched the online fundraiser in July and has so far raised $4,724 from his initial goal of $4,500. The project, titled Be a part of a Campaign to Thank Prime Minister Harper, hopes to fly 10 Israeli-Canadians to Canada in October to bolster support for Harper in Jewish communities. The funds would cover plane tickets, car rentals and election-related events.

“We want your help to send a small group of Canadians living currently in Israel that will go back to Canada in order to vote in the coming elections,” writes Illouz in the fundraiser description. He was not immediately available for comment.

“This campaign will give a great message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper by thanking him for his support for Israel. It will also encourage the Canadian Jewish Community to go out and vote for him. Traditionally, in ridings with strong Jewish populations, the results are very very close. These are proud Canadians living in Israel that are proud of Harper’s great moral stand on international issues.”

Despite having reached its financial goal, comments on Illouz’s project page were mixed. While some lauded the initiative and expressed hope for a successful trip, others were less impressed.

“Harper doesn’t like expat meddlers. Stay home. News at 11,” advised Anthony Ryder.

Others offered more constructive criticism.

“Sincerest thanks, from within Canada, for your Hakarat Hatov and well-intentioned campaign,” contributed Yisroel Janowski of Vaughan, Ont. “We really don’t wish to rain on your parade but, with respect, politically astute folks in Canada working directly on the Campaign strongly disagree. Your money would be much better spent WITHIN ISRAEL on helping as many Canadian-Israelis as possible in Israel to actually mail in their votes from Israel.”

And some opined that if Israel loved Harper so much, it could have him.

While creative, Illouz’s campaign could also contravene Canada’s rules on third party advertising. According to Elections Canada, advocacy groups are required to register as “third parties” if they spend more than $500 in their advertising campaign. So far 21 “third parties” have registered in the upcoming election, none of which include Illouz’s group.

“The definition of advertising is to promote or oppose a party or candidate or an issue with which the party or candidate is associated,” explains Elections Canada spokeswoman Diane Benson. She was not able to comment specifically on Illouz’s campaign but did offer some clarity on what constituted election advertising.

“They might be advertising if they pay to put notices in the paper, for example. But it would not be [election advertising] if they were renting a venue for a community event or something like that. The issue is spending money to promote or oppose a party or candidate or issue they are associated with.”