OTTAWA – The Conservative Party is facing a fine from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for a robocall campaign in Saskatchewan.
The commission found a campaign on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 over proposed changes to the federal riding boundaries violated unsolicited telecommunication rules.
Specifically, the CRTC found the calls did not identify they were being made on behalf of the Conservative Party or provide a mailing address.
The calls were made from a company called Chase Research.
More: CRTC fines federal parties, MPs for robocalls
In February, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the party was operating within the bounds of normal process when it made the calls to garner public opinion on the proposed boundary changes.
Some Saskatchewan Tory MPs have called into question the partiality of the process that redrew the federal ridings, saying it was flawed and prejudged.
Under the proposed boundary changes, Saskatchewan’s electoral map would be redefined to create five new all urban ridings – three in Saskatoon and two in Regina.
Opposition parties said the Conservatives used the calls to manipulate the process.
Saskatchewan Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said the calls were “deplorable” and asked the CRTC to investigate.
The Conservative Party was given a monetary penalty of $78,000 and given 30 days to pay or make representation.
With files from The Canadian Press.
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