OTTAWA
- Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich-Gulf
Islands, has contacted the Speaker to request an emergency debate on the
growing scandal around misleading robocalls during the 2011 federal election.
Mr. Speaker,
As you are by now no
doubt aware, on Thursday, February 23rd, the Ottawa Citizen reported the
existence of substantial evidence that multiple people were engaged in the
commission of a “systemic voter suppression campaign” during the 2011 federal
election.It is my opinion that
this disturbing report, and the related investigations being conducted by
Elections Canada and the RCMP, are “immediately relevant and of attention and
concern throughout the nation”, as noted by Speaker Anglin in 1978.As such, this immensely
troubling discovery constitutes a genuine emergency with regard to the
essential integrity of our democratic institutions, and is of sufficient
urgency and importance as to constitute an Emergency Debate, under Standing
Order 52(1). I hereby request leave to make a motion for the adjournment of the
House for the purpose of discussing this specific and important matter
requiring urgent consideration.It is the fundamental
interest of every Member of the House of Commons to fiercely guard our Canadian
democratic institutions, and I expect that you will find complete consensus
amongst all 308 Members of this Chamber for an Emergency Debate on this crucial
matter.Sincerely,
Elizabeth
May O.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Media Contact:
Rebecca Harrison
media@greenparty.ca
613-614-4916