TURNOUT SMALL FOR ROBOCALL PROTESTS.
Demonstrations across Canada
Their numbers weren’t particularly massive, but Canadians across the country gathered Sunday to voice doubts in the electoral process as the robocalls scandal continues to unfold.
In Ottawa, about 30 people gathered on Parliament Hill carrying signs — one read “Democracy not Robocracy” — and talking about what the robocall allegations mean for their faith in democracy — namely, that it’s eroding.
The rally was part of dozens of events planned nationwide amid allegations that fraudulent phone calls were made to voters in dozens of ridings redirecting them to wrong polling stations in last year’s federal election.
Few speeches were made in Ottawa, as protesters gathered around to talk about allegations of voter suppression in smaller groups.
One participant handing out leaflets, Eden Schill, said that her confidence in last year’s election was shaken after revelations came forward that Elections Canada was investigating a number of ridings after being deluged with thousands of complaints.
“I took part in the election, and it gives me the message that my vote doesn’t mean anything,” Schill said. “I would hate to see Canadians lose faith in the process and stop caring.”
About 30 people in St. John’s gathered to call for a public inquiry into the allegations of voter suppression. In Montreal, about 125 protesters of all ages marched through the downtown carrying placards. Montreal police blocked traffic for them.
Protests were also expected in Calgary, Toronto and other cities.