Thursday, December 1, 2011

Conservatives admit they’re behind false byelection calls for Liberal MP’s riding

I have a pretty high tolerance for this type of thing; but this really is very very very wrong.

Irwin is a decent man and deserves better than this from the Government of Canada.

Vincenzo D'Alto / Postmedia News files

Vincenzo D'Alto / Postmedia News files

Constituents in Liberal Irwin Cotler’s Mount Royal riding have complained of receiving calls in recent weeks from a marketing research company insinuating he has resigned and asking them to support the Conservatives in an upcoming byelection. On Tuesday, Conservative MPs took responsibility for the calls.

  • By Lee Berthiaume

    OTTAWA — The Conservatives have confirmed they are behind a rash of phone calls to Liberal MP Irwin Cotler’s Montreal-riding over the past couple of weeks in which constituents allegedly were told of Cotler’s resignation and a pending byelection.

    But while the party says it was not breaking any rules, political scientists feel the tactic crosses a line and will harm not only voters’ trust in the system, but perhaps even the Conservatives themselves.

    “It’s disgusting,” said Queen’s University professor Ned Franks. “Politics is a blood sport but that doesn’t mean you have to resort to dirty blows.”

    Numerous constituents in Cotler’s Mount Royal riding have complained of receiving calls in recent weeks from a marketing research company insinuating he has resigned and asking them to support the Conservatives in an upcoming byelection.


    8 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    James, as someone with more than a passing knowledge of the law, can you comment on what legal recourse might be available to Mr. Cotler?

    James C Morton said...

    I understand he may have a claim under the Quebec Civil Code for a violation of his personal honour -- something akin to a common law slander action

    Anonymous said...

    What would be the penalties? Can we put these crooks in jail yet?

    Anonymous said...

    (sorry; alleged crooks)

    Anonymous said...

    (sorry; alleged crooks)

    Anonymous said...

    I hope Mr. Cotler sues some asses off.

    I will gladly donate to his legal fund.

    Rotterdam said...

    This is low class. I would apologize to Mr. Coltler at once.

    Cora Anne said...

    The smoking gun is that the Cons say that they did not break any rules. Beware....they will do it again!