Canadians want an independent investigation into robocalls, Angus Reid survey suggests

by Bobbie Saga

Most Canadians are calling for an independent investigation into robocalls, with a majority believing they are not isolated incidents limited to the riding of Guelph, a new Angus Reid poll shows.

The online survey, released today, reveals that most Canadians think Robocalls were used broadly in the last federal election, with four-in-five respondents calling for an independent investigation.

The survey shows respondents are divided on what impact robocalls may have had on the last federal ballot, with slightly less than half, or 44 per cent, agreeing that misleading messages definitely changed the outcome of the May 2011 federal election. Only 36 per cent of those polled disagreed that robocalls changed the outcome.

 

But half of those polled, or 50 per cent – including 61 per cent of Quebecers – believe every riding subjected to misleading robocalls should have a by-election as soon as possible. Moreover, four-in-five, or 81 per cent, want an independent investigation to find out exactly who was behind any misleading calls.

A breakdown of the poll, conducted from March 1 to 3, shows most opposition voters believe that robocalls definitely changed the outcome of the last federal ballot, a view shared by just 17 per cent of Conservative voters.

The survey also suggests almost two thirds of Canadians, or 64 per cent of those polled, think the Guelph occurrence is "probably" or "definitely" one of many that took place and where robocalls were a method used widely in the last federal campaign.

As well, 80 per cent of Canadians who voted for the Green Party, 78 per cent for the New Democratic Party, and 77 per cent for both the Liberal Party and the Bloc Québécois believe the robocalls extend beyond Guelph. Only 47 per cent of Conservative Party voters stated they believed the calls are an isolated incident.

Respondents were also asked which of the five major federal parties are likely to provide false and misleading information to voters through telephone calls with pre-recorded messages.

 

Only a third of respondents, or 32 per cent, think the Green Party and 33 per cent the New Democratic Party are "very likely" or "moderately likely" to rely on this tactic. In Quebec, 32 per cent of respondents think the Bloc Québécois is likely to use robocalls with misleading information.

A majority of Canadians, however, believe the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party are most likely to provide false and misleading information to voters through telephone calls. The Liberal Party chalked up 55 per cent on this question, while the Conservative Party came in at 63 per cent. Indeed, two-in-five Canadians, or 39 per cent, think the Tories are "very likely" to rely on this tactic.

Another question put to respondents is that of holding by-elections in affected ridings. At least three-in-five Canadians who voted for any of the four opposition parties currently want to hold by-elections in the ridings that were subjected to misleading robocalls. Only 31 per cent of Tory voters concur.

The survey also shows half of respondents say they have followed stories related to robocalls made during the last federal election campaign "very closely" or "moderately closely."

Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted the online survey among 1,001 randomly selected Canadian adults. The margin of error is 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Calls for action increases amid Conservative denials, deflections and blame games

Action Alert:

Avaaz.org has posted the following to encourage Canadians to ask the Commissioner of Canada Elections and the Commissioner of the RCMP for an expanded investigation into election fraud:

"As concerned citizens we urge you to expand your investigation to seek court orders for all the correspondence, directions, and orders placed between customers and Racknine and RMG for calling services on election day and the 5 days leading up to May 2, 2011 to help restore Canada’s democracy."

Over 58,000 people have put their names forward on Avaaz.org . Click here to Sign the petition please!

Council of Canadians willing to take legal action to defend democratic rights

Reference: The Council of Canadians
Ottawa - The Council of Canadians announced today that it is canvassing its members and other Canadians to determine the extent to which the "robo-calls" and other dirty tricks during the May 2011 federal election may have undermined basic democratic principles in ridings across the country.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent media reports that many voters were misled, harassed or otherwise subjected to dirty tricks that may have impaired their ability to freely cast their ballots. While we applaud the fact that all parties are urging Elections Canada to investigate these serious allegations, we believe the victims here are the electors. We intend to find out from them the full extent of the nefarious campaigns," said Garry Neil, Executive Director of the Council of Canadians.

Members of the Council of Canadians are committed to preserving Canadian democracy. Being able to participate freely in elections is at the very heart of that democracy. To ensure the widest possible input, the Council is partnering with other social justice groups, including Leadnow and others, and thus the survey questionnaire will be made available to a significant number of Canadians in each of the affected ridings.

"The Council is committed to ensuring that victims of electoral dirty tricks understand their right to defend their democratic franchise, including by making an application to the Court to have the election in their riding declared null and void under the Canada Elections Act" said Steven Shrybman, a public interest lawyer who is legal counsel to the Council of Canadians in this matter.

"All Canadians should be concerned if the rights of any of them to freely participate in an election have been impaired. We invite Canadians who were affected by any of these dirty tricks to contact us immediately," concluded Mr. Neil.

The Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest social justice organization, with 75,000 supporters from coast to coast.

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For more information:
Dylan Penner, media officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685,
dpenner@canadians.org
Twitter: @CouncilOfCDNs, Facebook

Action Alert:

Mounting evidence of fraudulent robo-calls, impersonations of Elections Canada staff and other deliberate attempts to deceive voters in the 2011 federal election have struck at the very heart of our democracy and shaken Canadians to the core. Click below to learn more.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of misleading or harassing actions around the 2011 federal election, we want to hear from you now.

Conservatives foster a culture of secrecy with more committee meetings going in camera

iPolitics analysis: Behind closed doors?
Posted on Mon, Mar 5, 2012, 5:00 am by Elizabeth Thompson

"The opposition points fingers at the Conservatives. The Conservatives point fingers at previous Liberal governments. They each accuse the other of fostering a culture of secrecy that takes committee meetings in camera and leaves Canadians to wonder what is going on behind closed doors." Click here for more.

Other related stories:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/01/in-camera-watch-open-government-closed-committee-meetings.html

Leading journal demands Harper set Canada’s scientists free

HELEN BRANSWELL-TORONTO— The Canadian Press/Globe and Mail-Mar 1'12
"One of the world's leading scientific journals has criticized the federal government for policies that limit its scientists from speaking publicly about their research." Full story here.

Nature criticized the government's approach to openness in the past and argues that strict control on what federal researchers can reveal about their work is a disservice to science and the public.

For more information:
Nature | Canada's government should free its scientists to speak to the press
Webcast of panel discussion
Open letter on iPolitics.ca
Canadian Science Writers' Association open letter

Other related stories:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/03/02/nature-science-canada.html

Criticism of Bill C-30 driven by media misunderstanding, claims Vic Toews

Updated:

Minister of Public Safety embarks on a campaign of misinformation, critics charge

by Bobbie Saga

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews continues to defend the Tories’ lawful access legislation – and himself – saying many in the media misunderstand the highly controversial Bill C-30.

Toews made the attempt to clarify his position in an Op-ed column for Postmedia News Friday that followed a public backlash beginning with the Tories’ reintroduction of the legislation that many Canadians, at best, deem too intrusive.

But in the process of an explanation, Toews – yet again – resorts to a disingenuous attack, this time taking direct aim at the media.

In his editorial, Toews continues to reiterate the bill’s intent is to protect children, even though the only reference to children is in the title, and that it is required to combat serious crime, even though critics say law enforcement agencies have yet to provide evidence to substantiate the need for sweeping new police powers.

"Let me be clear: Bill C-30 creates no new powers to access the content of e-mails, web-browsing history or phone calls beyond that which already exists in Canadian law," Toews wrote.

"Some have accused me of not reading a bill I've been involved in shaping for over half a decade. Ironically, when I read most media coverage of C-30, I am struck by just how poorly the bill is understood by many writers."

Toews first leveled an attack against Liberal public safety critic Francis Scarpaleggia Feb. 13 with his now infamous statement, inferring Canadians could, "stand with us of with the child pornographers." But by the following day, and with public outrage mounting over the comment, Toews denied having said it, leading the media to replay the tape of him saying it.

Then on Feb. 14, the day C-30 or the Protecting Children From Online Predators Act was reintroduced in Parliament, it was confirmed the legislation does indeed give authorities new and unprecedented access to personal information – names, addresses, phone numbers and online ID numbers – and without appropriate court oversight.

In an interview airing Feb.17 on CBC Radio's The House, Toews also said his understanding of the bill is police can only request information from ISPs when conducting, "a specific criminal investigation."

But according to privacy and legal experts, as well as the opposition parties, provisions of C-30 do allow authorities the ability to ask for Internet subscribers' information without a warrant under "exceptional circumstances" (Section 17), and there is a section allowing authorities, with a warrant, to make copies of records made by ISPs (Section 34).

Within days of its introduction, and with growing opposition from within their own base that included calls for Toews' resignation, the Tories announced the bill would go directly to committee for revisions, a rare move by any government.

Campaign of misinformation

There is, however, more skepticism than certainty that Bill C-30 going to the committee process will result in reasoned debate, or changes to the legislation. That is because Conservative MPs have control of the process and will determine all aspects of it and its outcome.

And although most vocal media critics of the legislation have yet to respond to Toews continued assertions, or his statement the media misunderstand Bill C-30, some opponents are clearly not backing off in their bid to have the bill go through substantive alterations. Nor has the very vocal public outcry abaited to have Bill C-30 killed altogether, or fixed.

Dr. Michael Geist, an expert on the subject of lawful access, and outspoken critic of both the current and previously tabled legislation, says he has "been asked repeatedly what should be done to fix Bill C-30" since its reintroduction.

He says the bill requires considerable study, adding "12 amendments of undertakings" are needed "to begin to address the massive public concern with the legislation." Geist posted How to Fix Canada's Online Surveillance Bill: A 12 Step To-Do List on his blog yesterday.

"Given recent events, many understandably believe the bill is beyond repair and should be scrapped," he says.

"However, assuming the government sticks with it and send[s] the bill to committee with a mandate to consider a wide range of reforms and submissions, I’d start with the non-comprehensive to-do list:

1. Evidence, Evidence, Evidence;
2. No Mandatory Warrantless Access to Subscriber Information;
3. Reporting Warrantless Disclosure of Subscriber Information;
4. Remove the Disclosure Gag Order;
5. "Voluntary" Warrantless Data Preservation and Production;
6. Government Installation of Surveillance Equipment;
7. Reconsider the Internet Provider Regulatory Framework;
8. Improve Lawful Access Oversight;
9. Limit the Law to Serious Crimes;
10. Come Clean on Costs;
11. The Missing Regulations;
12. Deal with the Failure of Privacy Laws to Keep Pace."

Meanwhile, Vincent Gogolek, a spokesperson for the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, took serious issue with both Toews and a "fact sheet" that suddenly appeared on the Public Safety site last week. It included a scathing review of Toews’ recent talking points. As well, he wrote a "mythbusting" rebuttal of Public Safety's fact sheet on behalf of the Vancouver-based OpenMedia group.

OpenMedia is an independent, non-partisan organization representing more than 40 advocacy and other groups, plus many individual Canadians countering the government with a petition that, to date, has accumulated over 115,000 signatures. It has also championed a public education Stop Online Spying campaign since last May.

"The government is on the defence," Gogolek wrote.

"Fresh from being outed on CBC radio as unfamiliar with his own bill, asked to resign in the National Post, and generally berated via social media, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has been emailing those who signed the Stop Online Spying petition with the same washed up talking points that have been debunked again and again. We’ve decided to go point-by-point through his misleading ‘myth-busting’, and make sure it’s clear how ridiculous this bill — not to mention the force attempting to pass it — truly is."

Gogolek then advised that "If you're upset by Toews' unwillingness to listen to Canadians, consider submitting a letter to your local paper. We have a tool for this here."

Additionally, results of a public-opinion poll released Friday by Angus Reid, suggests half of Canadians surveyed believe the bill is too intrusive, while about the same amount believe C-30 should be scrapped.

The survey concludes Canadians reject components of Bill C-30, and reveals concern over the proposed legislation crosses party lines. Nearly half of Conservatives and the majority of New Democrats and Liberals oppose the bill's passage in its current form. It does not state if Green Party supporters were represented in the survey.

"The idea of surrendering subscriber data and identifiers without a warrant is rejected by almost two thirds of Canadians," Angus Reid declared in its analysis.

It went further, noting, "The most unpopular measure included in Bill C-30 is requiring telecommunications providers to disclose, without a warrant, six types of identifiers from subscriber data (Name, Address, Telephone number, Email address, IP address and Local service provider identifier). Almost two thirds of Canadians (64%) disagree with this idea."

The online survey of 1,011 randomly selected Canadian adults, which took place Thursday and Friday, has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Sweeping Conservative legislation disregards the Charter rights of all Canadians

Three problematic pieces of legislation are currently going through Canada’s Parliament that should be of concern to all Canadians.

Bill C-10 is commonly referred to as the Omnibus Crime Bill. It recently passed the Green Chamber of the House of Commons with little debate, and as of Feb. 22, it is now in the Conservative stacked Senate process. This bill is a plethora of US, Republican-style, failed policies.

Bill C-11 is Canada’s version of the US SOPA/PIPA legislation concerning digital lockdowns. This type of legislation recently prompted Wikipedia to shut down its website for 24 hours, or on what was dubbed "black Wednesday." The legislation, recently tabled in the House, is flying under the Canadian public’s radar.

Bill C-30, formerly and commonly known as lawful access legislation, got a name change last week to Protecting Children From Predators Act. Unlike C-11, it is finally getting much-warranted mainstream media attention. Currently, there is a growing backlash from the public about this bill, and with good reason. It's a resounding call for the federal government to kill Bill C-30, but despite this, PM Harper announced Sunday he sent the bill to committee for revisions, a committee whereby the Conservatives will determine what revisions will be made.

In totality, the bills are very disturbing because all three undermine the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Thus, every Canadian is encouraged to spend a little time to become informed about all three very important pieces of legislation. What follows are links to sites that will give people information, mostly on C-30. Other information may be obtained via these links, as well as by a Google search based on the name of the other two bills. Become informed and speak out. Also, please share information with others. Canada’s future is in our hands, not the federal Conservatives.

The egregious C-30 legislation:
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/292611-bill-c-30.html

Bill C-10 (A bundle of crime and justice bills):
http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&billId=5120829

Bill C-11 (An Act to Amend the Copyright Act or the Copyright Modernization Act):
http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&billId=5134851

Cutting through the rhetoric of lawful access legislation. A story of vital concern to every Canadian:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/02/16/pol-vp-terry-milewski-bill-c30.html

Hear what the experts say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyHnOCDewuQ&feature=player_embedded

For more information visit:
http://www.unlawfulaccess.net/

Cutting through the rhetoric of the Omnibus Crime Bill. A news video worth watching:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTqD8KbmevA&feature=related

More cutting through the rhetoric of lawful access (three other stories worth reading):
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/02/21/pol-c30-surveillance-caution.html
http://openmedia.ca/blog/surveillance-expert-chris-parsons-dismantles-lawful-access-phone-book-comparison
http://blogs.canada.com/2012/02/15/can-you-spot-the-difference-on-lawful-access-bill/

Sign the Petition on C-30 or send a message to the minister with respect to Bill C-11 or a message to provincial senators on Bill C-10 located at:
http://stopspying.ca/ and http://openmedia.ca/lockdown and http://leadnow.ca/keep-canada-safe