
Just because the election is over, doesn't mean that we can let this go.
We just experienced the most undemocratic campaign on record, so we have to salvage something from the chaos.
During every federal election campaign issues surface that give rise to complaints to Elections Canada. Sometimes the agency responds to the complaints quickly and very conspicuously. It did so in the just-ended campaign when it confirmed receipt of a Conservative party complaint arising from the special ballot staged at the University of Guelph, and then quickly ruled on the complaint. ..This election saw its share of local matters referred to Elections Canada. On the last day of the campaign alone there were bogus recorded phone calls misdirecting local voters to incorrect polling locations and signage that allegedly skirted federal elections law. Each generated Guelph complaints.I hope we learn the source.
It wouldn’t even surprise many locals if this campaign saw a high-water mark for complaints to the agency arising from electoral goings-on in Guelph. We’re pleased that Guelph MP Frank Valeriote has signalled his intention to follow-up on these matters — with particular emphasis on a few of them.