Robocall protesters demand public inquiry
Demonstrations planned across Canada
The Canadian Press
Posted: Mar 11, 2012 3:53 PM ET
Last Updated: Mar 11, 2012 3:50 PM ET
Dozens of protesters gathered in Montreal with signs condemning the Robocall election fraud scandal. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Protesters armed with placards and megaphones gathered in a number of Canadian cities across Canada on Sunday to call for a public inquiry into the robocall election fraud scandal.
Protest organizers are calling for a full public inquiry into the robocall scandal, in which thousands of voters got phone calls directing them away from the proper polling stations in last May's election.
In Winnipeg, more than 300 people, including former and current NDP and Liberal MPs, gathered for an afternoon demonstration.
There were modest turnouts of several dozen in Halifax and Montreal while local media outlets estimated the turnout in Toronto was in the hundreds.
Montreal demonstrator Alexandra Smith says she wants someone held accountable for the robocalls to ensure Canada has fair and transparent elections.
The Liberals and New Democrats accuse the Conservatives of being behind the calls – a charge Prime Minister Stephen Harper denies.
Elections Canada is reviewing more than 31,000 reports of Canadians receiving robocalls.
About 42,000 people have signed an online petition for a public inquiry into the matter.
Protests were planned in other cities including Calgary, Regina and Victoria.
With files from CBC News
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