PM backs more powers for Elections Canada

OTTAWA— With a flood of political “dirty tricks” complaints pouring in to Elections Canada, the federal Conservative government has reversed course and says it will now support more audit powers for the elections watchdog.

A day earlier, the NDP revealed the Conservatives had rejected in committee a recommendation by chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand for greater authority to compel documents from political parties to verify their election reports.

The NDP then tabled a motion that calls for changes to be legislated within six months to allow Elections Canada to request “all necessary documents from political parties to ensure compliance with the Elections Act.” It also calls for the registration of “all telecommunication companies that provide voter contact services during a general election” and for the identity of their clients during a general election to be “registered and verified.”

NDP interim leader Nycole Turmel asked if the Prime Minister would “help us help Elections Canada” by supporting the motion, and Stephen Harper relented.

“Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to such a proposal,” said Harper.

He said the Tories are “giving all our information” to the agency, and urged the NDP and Liberals to do the same.

Harper would not repeat his erroneous claim of last week that only the Liberals used U.S. calling services in the last campaign, as records show several Conservatives used U.s.-based Front Porch Strategies for teleconference town halls.