PM’s Failure to Act on Electoral Fraud Raises Concerns About Upcoming By-Elections

August 21, 2013

OTTAWA– With a number of important by-elections approaching, the Prime Minister must answer several outstanding questions about the electoral fraud that occurred during the last federal election and take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future, said Liberal Party of Canada Deputy Leader, Ralph Goodale, today.

“The Prime Minister’s dismissive attitude toward tremendously serious allegations of electoral fraud – which have been proven in Federal Court – raises justified fears about a repeat,” said Mr. Goodale. “With four by-elections about to be called, Mr. Harper has not only failed to provide any answers about the inexcusable and illegal electoral fraud in 2011, his government has refused to take any steps to strengthen Canadian laws to protect voters.”

During the 2011 federal election, thousands of Canadians were victims of a calculated, coordinated voter suppression scheme using thousands of illicit phone calls in an attempt to prevent them from voting. Despite a unanimous motion by the House of Commons calling for the Elections Act to be strengthened, the Prime Minister has refused to take action.

“The Court clearly identified the Conservative Party’s database as the most likely source of the information used to commit voter fraud, yet Mr. Harper has shown no interest in getting to the bottom of this serious breach,” said Mr. Goodale. “Canadians have had enough of this Prime Minister’s stonewalling. It is incumbent upon him to explain any and all Conservative involvement, and how his government will protect the rights of all citizens to participate in free and fair elections going forward.”