Electoral Fraud on Harper's Watch - Election 2015 - Part 2

When it comes to elections, it could be said with some truth that few political parties are completely above board when it comes to how they conduct themselves during elections.  With big things at stake, many will skate close to the edge, hoping that they will either get away with it or that any fines will be small and the matter soon forgotten.

The Conservatives have engaged in a series of illegal practices, illegal because people have been found guilty.  These are not simply allegations at this point.

The 2006 Election, there was the "In and Out Scandal".  This was a scheme to gain additional revenue and to avoid spending limits at the national level.  Among several points in this case is the fact that the Conservatives' scheme cost taxpayers $2.3 million., taking into account the costs of investigating and prosecuting the case.  The Conservatives, after denying they had done anything wrong, finally agreed to a plea bargain and paid a fine of $52,000 (the maximum) and reimbursed taxpayers of about $230,000.  The Conservatives now claim victory in that no individuals were found guilty.  Not exactly moral high ground here.  More on this story can be found here.

During the 2008 Election, there were several cases of overspending.  One Conservative, Dean del Maestro, was found guilty of exceeding campaign spending rules and of filing false accounting reports.  He began serving his time early in 2015.

The 2011 Election featured the "Robocalls" scandal, also known as the 2011 Canadian federal election voter suppression scandal.  Calls were made on election day directing voters to the wrong polling station.  Evidence shows that many of these calls were made using the Conservative Party's voter information database, specifically targeting voters who were known would not be supporting the Conservatives.  More information can be found here.

Cases of electoral fraud are difficult to investigate and prosecute.  With the passage of the "Fair Elections Act", future transgressions will be even more difficult to bring to light.

A summary can be found here.