What Was Canada's Robocalls Controversy That Shook Voter Trust In 2011

As Canada heads into its 45th federal election on April 28, political tensions are running high. The snap vote, triggered by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's sudden resignation in January, has reshaped the country's political landscape. Now, Mark Carney - former central banker turned Liberal leader and Prime Minister - faces Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative chief, rallying voters with promises of tax cuts, stricter immigration, and bold economic reform.

With Canadians preparing to cast their ballots, memories of the 2011 Robocalls Scandal still linger - a voter suppression controversy that shook public trust and remains one of the most divisive chapters in the country's electoral history.

What Happened In 2011?

During the 2011 federal election, robocalls (automated phone calls) began targeting voters, especially in close ridings (constituencies) where elections were expected to be tight. 

These calls claimed to be from Elections Canada, providing false information about polling station locations and voting times. As a result, many voters, particularly those from Liberal and New Democratic Party (NDP) areas, were either sent to the wrong polling stations or failed to vote at all.

How Did It Come To Light?

The scandal began to unravel when several voters started reporting that they had received strange phone calls, telling them incorrect information about where or when to vote. At first, the issue seemed isolated, but as more and more complaints poured in, it became clear that this was no accident. Investigations were launched to find out who was behind the calls and why they were being made.

Who Was Behind It?

In 2012, it was discovered that the calls had been made by Michael Sona, a Conservative Party worker in Guelph, Ontario. Sona was found guilty of having wilfully prevented or endeavoured to prevent an elector from voting. In 2014, he was convicted and sentenced to nine months in prison for his role. 

Many believed Sona had acted alone, but others suspected that the scheme could have been larger, possibly involving more people within the Conservative Party.

The Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper at the time, said they had nothing to do with the robocalls. But the damage was done. Even though the party won a majority government in the 2011 election, many people began to question whether the election had been fair. The scandal left a bad mark on the win.

In 2011, Stephen Harper became Prime Minister for a third term, but this was his first majority government after leading two minority governments in 2006 and 2008.