"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. The message also said if his party is looking for people's help, it would use a different approach. "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. (Tim Houston/Facebook)Īs a result, party leader Tim Houston posted his own "mock" text on his Facebook page on July 13, saying he's not Sarah.
#SPAM BOT TEXT PC#
Nova Scotia PC Leader Tim Houston posted 'a mock text' after getting complaints about the federal Conservative Party of Canada's robotexting. They are also exempt from the Do-Not-Call list.Įdward 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. 'I think the exemption is being misused'Ĭanada does have anti-spam legislation, but political parties are exempt from it. 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. "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. 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. It provides new area codes when needed and the first three numbers that follow the area code. That's managed by the Canadian Numbering Administrator, which provides phone numbers to the Canadian telecommunications industry. 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 Plan." "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. Hann said the party started using texts in April as part of an awareness campaign about the national carbon tax and its impact on provinces where there was no federal-provincial agreement. He said it's using 21st-century technology for voter outreach.
21st-century voter outreachĬory Hann, director of communications for the Conservatives, confirmed his party is behind the robotexts. "That's Great! To help us further can you confirm your postal code?" the text said. It's ridiculous," Arsenault said, adding she feels it's an invasion of privacy.Īrsenault texted back a scathing reply, but was surprised by Sarah's response. "They should not be trying to drum up support sending out robot texts.
The text, also sent to other Canadians, asks if the party could count on her support in the upcoming federal election. When Halifax's Beth Arsenault received a text from the Conservative Party of Canada's "Sarah," she wasn't pleased.
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