robocalls

Stephen Maher: The party is using pre-recorded voice actors and a controversial technology that the Liberals abandoned at the last moment

Also: A Canadian journalist is wounded in Afghanistan

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Also: Supreme Court hears Senate reform arguments, and robocalls trial continues

In this week’s Maclean’s I write about Marc Mayrand, Canada’s chief electoral officer. Mayrand is often called a “watchdog,” the informal category that also includes federal officials like the auditor general and the privacy commissioner. But doesn’t just enforce the rules for voting and political finance to make sure nobody’s gaming the system, he also runs federal elections. It’s that hands-on, operational role that sets him apart; he must actually keep the election machine in order, and knows better than anyone where it’s in need of repair. Here is an edited transcript of my recent interview with him, the basis of this week’s story:

Nick Taylor-Vaisey considers the unfinished business of Parliament

Here’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey on what politicians left hanging

This month just keeps getting better

Legislation to fight fraudulent calls is now seven months past due

On Wednesday after Question Period, Elections Canada tabled its report on robocalls. More of our continuing coverage on the story here.

Here’s the report, for those who like to read straight from the source:

Elections Canada on Robocalls

A search for coherence at the closing of the year

Glen McGregor and Stephen Maher review the latest numbers from Elections Canada.