Get a text from Sarah? Why it's allowed and what you can do to stop it
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Helga Saint Pierre ( Emma Bassi) Remember
the targeted robocall scandal in Ontario when people were sent to
incorrect voting stations? I do, and i have zero tolerance for the
Conservative/Reform party since then.
David Sampson
Reply to @Helga Saint Pierre ( Emma Bassi):
More commonly known as the Western Regional Reform Fundamentalist Party.
Jeremy Kemp
Reply to @David Sampson: Conservative reform alliance party or c.r.a.p.
Jack Adam
Reply to @Helga Saint
Pierre ( Emma Bassi): I do as well. A friend of mine got the call to
mis direct him, but got it after he voted. So it failed. He thought
nothing of it until the scandal broke. I wouldn't trust the modern
conservative party to run a lemonade stand. Never mind the country.
Marguerite Deschamps
No matter how hard they tried, I will never ever again vote for that regressive party.
David Mccaig
Reply to @Helga Saint Pierre ( Emma Bassi):
Low down dirty politics thats conservatives with no conscience.
Reply to @david mccaig: Surprise Surprise Surprise
David Amos
Reply
to @david mccaig: Methinks everybody knows Sona worked for Rob Moore
and why I mentioned that fact during a debate when I ran against that
lawyer again in 2015 N'esy Pas?
Alexandre Hilton
Reply to @Helga Saint
Pierre ( Emma Bassi): That's comparing apples to bazookas. Not an apt
comparison AT ALL. You die-hard libs sure like to complain about
everything......
David Mccaig
Reply to @David Amos:
REALLY DIRTY POLITICS
Rob Moore ran in the 2000 federal election for the Canadian
Alliance(Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance) in the New Brunswick
riding of Fundy—Royal. Following the 2003 merger of the Progressive
Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance into the new Conservative Party
of Canada, Moore ran as the Conservative candidate in the 2004 Moore won
the rematch. In the 2006 election and won again.On January 19, 2010,
Moore was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of State (Small Business
and Tourism) by Stephen Harper. He was eventually released from cabinet
after the general election in May 2011. Michael Sona, the only person
charged in relation the 2011 Canadian federal election voter suppression
scandal, worked as a communications special assistant for Moore after
the election.
David Amos
Reply to @david
mccaig: Methinks I should ask why you ignored the fact that I ran
against Moore twice and sued the Crown as well N'esy Pas?
But since the study was launched several weeks ago, Lockhart said, things appear to have changed.
Witnesses from universities, municipalities, and the provinces,
including former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, have travelled to
Ottawa to speak about the issue, but testimony has been "interrupted,
disrespected and ignored," she said.
"Unfortunately, in the actual committee, we have seen significant
disrespect to witnesses in terms of how they're questioned, and also
filibustering, which means that their testimony is interrupted,"
Lockhart said. "Procedurally, it means that they don't get to share
their information, which is very discouraging."
She said she'd like to see opposition members stop "attacking" Atlantic
Canada in an attempt to "glorify [their] own position or political
futures."
"Like any regular federal politician, former Conservative cabinet minister Rob Moore is a busy man these days.
Based in Saint John, he often travels to Ottawa to attend meetings of
the Tory caucus and shadow cabinet. He keeps a close watch on issues
affecting Atlantic Canadians, and he often meets with business people
and conducts media interviews.
But Moore is no ordinary politician. In fact, he isn't even a member of
Parliament, even though he's the Conservative critic for Atlantic
Canada. "
"Moore, the former minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, now works full-time for the Conservative leader's
office, doing his part to keep the party connected with a region that
has no opposition MPs.
While it's true the Conservatives and New Democrats in Atlantic Canada
were humbled by voters' wholesale rejection of the parties last year,
both opposition parties are already rebuilding for the next election.
The NDP, for example, has appointed Quebec MP Guy Caron to be their
Atlantic watchdog — his eastern Quebec riding is adjacent to
northwestern New Brunswick.
"We're staying appraised of what is going on," said Caron.
"The issues of my riding are issues of Atlantic Canada."
Caron said forestry, fisheries and employment insurance are among the
common themes, and he's quick to add that he has an extra assistant in
Ottawa to help him with the Atlantic file."
David Allan
Reply to @Patrick Flanagan:
"Yeah I remember when the liberals in Guelph got a big fine for using Robo Calls to deliver fake information, remember that? "
Yes, I remember that.
Guelph MP Frank Valeriote, a member of the Liberal party. Mr. Valeriote,
who will be fined $4,900, was found to have used robocalls during the
last campaign that did not identify the Liberal party as the source.
Seems like a minor peccadillo compared to what the CPC does.
The Court found that Sona displayed a "callous and blatant disregard for
the right of people to vote" as part of an "ill-conceived and
disturbing plan".
Remember, Scheer's boy in Alberta attacked democracy within his own
party. You don't think they care about democracy for the rest of us, do
you? They don't even support it for themselves.
David Amos
Reply to @david mccaig: Methinks you cannot deny the obvious N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you SANB dudes never did in the first place N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Alexandre Hilton: Methinks wannabe lawyers are not better N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @David Allan: Sarah won't text me Methinks its because Mr Sona and his old boss don't love me N'esy Pas?
If you think this is
annoying, just wait for the Con's to start running their American style
attack ads rather than push an actual agenda.
I would have considered the Con's before Mulroney destroyed the party before the Reform/Allies cashed in on the name.
Kind of sad you end up voting for the party you least dislike.
David Amos Reply to @David White: Welcome to the Circus
Default User Reply
to @Bill Brown: "While I don't like Trudeau and likely won't vote for
him, the CPC will be worse for most of us Canadians". No truer words
have ever been spoken.
David Amos
Reply to @Default User: Please explain your name to me real slow
David Mccaig Reply to @MASSEY JONES:
Quote Massey Jones "Actually, I'll be frank, "climate change" and their
insistence on it, is what is eventually going to destroy the NDP, "
Sorry I dont agree, when all hell breaks loose from the effects of
climate change, both the cons and the libs will be condemned for
cuddling the oil industry instead of stating a stand to reduce carbon
emissions. NDP'ers like BC's John Horgan will be seen as a politician
principled person, a hero, who took a stand that wasn't popular at the
time.
David Amos
Reply to @david mccaig: Yea Right Say Hey to Horgan and Eby will ya?
David Mccaig Reply to @david mccaig: Alberta Conservative Jason Kenney is still under RCMP investigation for rigging his own election.
David Amos
Reply to @david mccaig: Methinks its a not wise to play dumb today with a RCMP investigation underway N'esy Pas?
Maddie Harris It
doesn't matter if they're federal or provincial Cons they all wear the
same stripes. Look at what the Cons have done to Manitoba and now to
Ontario. Trust me federally we don't want that kind of governance.
Anything other than cons is a lesser evil.
Shane MacDonald Reply to @Maddie Harris:
I am no fan of the federal conservatives, or of the brand of
conservatism in AB or ON. Having said that, I do find some of the
provincial PC parties to be very different. Some of them actively
distance themselves from the federal Conservative party, and I find that
to be much more than just strategy. I think there is a genuine
difference in the ideologies in many provincial PC parties.
Not stumping for either side - I just call a spade a spade.
David Amos Reply
to @Maddie Harris: YUP but methinks all the other political parties are
no better Hence voting for Independents is the only way to go N'esy
Pas?
Default Use
Reply to @Maddie
Harris: While I don't like Trudeau and likely won't vote for him, the
CPC will be worse for most of us Canadians
David Amos
Reply to @Default User: Methinks that's the default setting of the Fake Left N'esy Pas?
Shane MacDonald
Reply to @Shaun Lo:
I explicitly lumped the AB (and ON) Conservatives in with the federal
ones. It is some of the others I am talking about - largely in Atlantic
Canada
David Amos
Reply to @Default User: Methinks the cat must have your tongue N'esy Pas?
Mark Jean It's easy to understand why this is occurring; the Conservatives do not value privacy.
Alexandre Hilton
Reply to @Mark Jean:
I'm willing to bet 100$ that you have a Facebook account, along with
95% of the rest of the population. The OVERWHELMING majority of people
have no right to make that argument, because having a Facebook account
by definition means you don't value your own privacy.
David Amos Reply to @Alexandre Hilton: Methinks you should review my words to you in the past N'esy Pas?
Louren Organzo Reply
to @Alexandre Hilton: No, using a connected facebook account (connected
to your phone and other devices) does, perhaps, indicate that privacy
isn't important but simply having a FB account does not. I have a FB
account that I use for a few personal relationships, I do not use the
messenger and I do not have FB enabled on my phone. FB only knows the
things about me that I do not care about and are more-or-less public
information. FB is a tool and if used carefully can be quite useful,
just don't let it use you.
Alexandre Hilton Reply
to @David Amos: Yeah, we've sparred in the past, Gandalf, but I don't
know exactly what you're referring to... Personally, I don't have any
social media at all, FB/LinkedIn/Twitter/instagram or anything else,
because as I was saying, I value my privacy. I know I am part of a
shrinking minority, but I would never willingly divulge so much personal
information to a company that literally only makes money by selling
people's personal information. Alas, sheep get led to slaughter
everyday, and a sucker is born every minute.
Alexandre Hilton
Reply to @Louren Organzo: You clearly don't understand Facebook's business model. There's a reason why it's free.
David Amos
Reply to @Alexandre
Hilton: Methinks I should ask the obvious question Whereas you don't
have social media then why did you call me Gandalf like you did again
just now N'esy Pas?
Louren Organzo
Reply to @Alexandre
Hilton: Oh you are funny. I understand it better than you I'm sure. And
it isn't even close to free, but it doesn't cost any direct $ to "users"
that is true. That's because you aren't the customer, you are the
product.
However, just like those who know the system can make money by using
credit cards (I make > $1,000 every year from Mastercard), it is
possible to use FB in a safe manner. FB can try to insert itself in my
life but it has and will continue to fail to do so. I am in control and
FB allows that because I am in a very small group and it isn't worth
pursuing. And to be honest, most people would be appalled at the lengths
to which I will block FB, Google and the rest but for me, privacy is
more important than convenience.
Jeremy Kemp I don't want any stinkin' drivel from the conservatives.
John Gerrits Reply to @Jeremy Kemp: How about from the libs....you can put lipstick on a p-g,but it's still a p-g
Ewan Cameron
Reply to @John Gerrits: "you can put lipstick on a p-g,but it's still a p-g "
True. How sad is it that so many would prefer a pig with lipstick on it over the Conservatives?
David Amos
Reply to @Jeremy Kemp: Nor I
David Amos
Reply to @John Gerrits: True
David Amos
Reply to @Ewan Cameron: Methinks many folks think its very sad indeed hence they don't bother to vote N'esy Pas?
Ewan Cameron Reply
to @Ewan Cameron: I was notified that there was a reply to my comment
but am unable to find it. Sorry about that. For whatever it's worth I
have a low opinion of both, maybe all, political parties.
David Amos Reply to @Ewan Cameron: Methinks its rather obvious to all that it was me N'esy Pas?
Charles Dunton That's a complicated question, Sarah.
I would support a Conservative party that stands for the rule of law for everyone and fiscal responsibility.
I cannot support a harper party that stands for none of that and adds intolerance to the mix also.
Karen King Reply to @Charles Dunton:
yup, I use to vote conservative but now recognize that con stands for con artist
David Amos
Reply to @Karen King: Methinks some folks will happy to read that N'esy Pas?
Laurie Clark "Generally
speaking, the Canada Elections Act permits automated messages (calls,
texts, etc.) made by, or on behalf of, candidates or political parties,"
Michelle LaLiberté, a spokesperson for the Commissioner of Canada
Elections, wrote in an email." Time for this to change! Get it done
Elections Canada! Time for the abuse of Canadians by politicians and
political parties to stop!
Mark (Junkman) George
Reply to @Laurie Clark:
Trouble is: the system is set up for politicians to abuse Canadians.
Kiss our behinds for 3 months looking for our vote, missing in action
for 45 months, if that is not abuse I don't know what is.
David Amos
Reply to @Laurie Clark: Dream on
David Amos
Reply to @Mark (Junkman) George: YUP
David Sampson I
though robocalls were deemed illegal under Election Canada rules. Just
because our bureaucracy hasn’t kept pace with the new digital age
doesn’t these insidiously invasive loophole actions by a Republican
styled political party is morally acceptable.
David Sampson Reply to @Craig Delaney:
Not at all Craig. When you look like a duck, talk like a duck and walk like a duck most people will assume you are a duck!
David Amos Reply to @David Sampson: Methinks if you run with turkeys then most folks will consider you a turkey as well N'esy Pas?
Michael G. L. Geraldson Sure we can complain to the CRTC , who can fine them, as if that would ever happen.
Rick B.
Jordan
Reply to @Michael G. L. Geraldson:
Do these public agencies actually represent our best interests or do they simply create an illusion of accountability?
David Amos
Reply to @Rick B.
Jordan : Methinks its all just a smoke and mirror show and its rather
irrelevant which party wins the mandate Our country is governed byway of
the PCO and all the political parties have seats around the very
secretive table mint hat office N'esy Pas?
Get a text from Sarah? Why it's allowed and what you can do to stop it
'They should not be trying to drum up support sending out robot texts. It's ridiculous,' says Beth Arsenault
The Conservative Party of Canada says it has been using robotexting from coast to coast to generate support. (CBC)
When Halifax's Beth Arsenault received a text from the Conservative Party of Canada's "Sarah," she wasn't pleased.
The text, also sent to other Canadians, asks if the party could count on her support in the upcoming federal election.
"They
should not be trying to drum up support sending out robot texts. It's
ridiculous," Arsenault said, adding she feels it's an invasion of
privacy.
Arsenault texted back a scathing reply, but was surprised by Sarah's response.
"That's Great! To help us further can you confirm your postal code?" the text said.
21st-century voter outreach
Cory
Hann, director of communications for the Conservatives, confirmed his
party is behind the robotexts. He said it's using 21st-century
technology for voter outreach.
"It's
just about locating people who are open to our party and who may be
open to voting for us in October," Hann said, noting other parties have
done the same thing in other provinces.
How did they get your number?
People
who responded to the text and asked how the Conservatives got their
number were told, "All phone numbers in Canada are available publicly
through the Canadian Numbering [and Dialling] Plan."
That's
managed by the Canadian Numbering Administrator, which provides phone
numbers to the Canadian telecommunications industry. It provides new
area codes when needed and the first three numbers that follow the area
code.
These six digits can then be programmed into a robocaller,
which then texts all of the possible number combinations using those
six digits and the remaining four digits.
Exemptions for political parties
Under the law, the texts are allowed.
"Generally
speaking, the Canada Elections Act permits automated messages (calls,
texts, etc.) made by, or on behalf of, candidates or political parties,"
Michelle LaLiberté, a spokesperson for the Commissioner of Canada
Elections, wrote in an email.
She said texts and calls would
only violate the act if they falsely claimed to originate from Elections
Canada, or came from a political entity that attempted to mislead or
prevent electors from voting.
'I think the exemption is being misused'
Canada
does have anti-spam legislation, but political parties are exempt from
it. They are also exempt from the Do-Not-Call list.
Edward
Antecol, general manager of the Canadian Numbering Administrator, told
CBC News he has received a half-dozen complaints about the
Conservatives' robotexts in the past month.
He
believes the exemption for political parties is not appropriate, and
"is being misused given the amount of robocalling that's going on."
Nova Scotia PCs distance themselves
The
Progressive Conservatives in Nova Scotia have also heard from people
not happy about receiving the texts. Spokesperson Catherine Klimek said
they haven't tracked the numbers, but the complaints came via calls,
emails and Facebook messages.
Nova
Scotia PC Leader Tim Houston posted 'a mock text' after getting
complaints about the federal Conservative Party of Canada's robotexting. (Tim Houston/Facebook)
As a result, party leader Tim Houston posted his own "mock" text on his Facebook page on July 13, saying he's not Sarah.
"I
want to assure you that the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova
Scotia is not behind those texts or calls you're receiving," said the
post.
The message also said if his party is looking for people's help, it would use a different approach.
"We
wanted to clarify that it was the federal Conservative Party, not the
provincial Progressive Conservative Party who was sending the texts, and
assure members we were not sharing their personal information," Klimek
said.
Hann said he laughed when he read Houston's post.
"It's up to every party, provincial and federal, to determine what best works for them as far as doing voter outreach."
He said the texts will continue for the next several months as the election nears.
"We've
chosen to use it because it's working well for us," he said, adding if
the responses they were getting were "universally panned, we wouldn't be
using it."
To stop receiving texts from the Conservative party,
people can reply "Stop" and they will be placed on the party's internal
do-not-contact list, Hann said.
Corrections
An
earlier version of this story said political parties can be fined by
the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commissions (CRTC)
if they continue to send text messages to a person who has asked the
party to stop contacting them. The CRTC does issue fines if parties do
not stop calling someone who has asked them to stop. However, text
messages from political parties are exempt from existing legislation.
This version has been updated.
Yvonne
Colbert has been a journalist for nearly 35 years, covering everything
from human interest stories to the provincial legislature. These days,
she's focused on helping consumers get the most bang for their bucks and
avoid being ripped off. She invites story ideas at
yvonne.colbert@cbc.ca.
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