Yukon Conservative campaigners told to change canvassing tactic

Federal election officials in Whitehorse have asked the Conservative campaign to change some of its door-to-door canvassing tactics after some voters complained of Tory volunteers passing themselves off as election enumerators.

About half a dozen complaints came in last week and through the weekend about canvassers from Darrell Pasloski's campaign, said Sue Edelman, Elections Canada's returning officer for the Yukon riding.

The complainants said they had thought Elections Canada workers were at their door, only to be given Pasloski brochures.

"The people that came in to complain were fairly clear that that's what they thought had happened," Edelman told CBC News Monday.

Some who complained said the volunteers at the door initially said they were updating the voters' list, asking homeowners questions about who was living in the house.

But Edelman said such visits ended with the homeowners receiving Pasloski campaign material.

"They were uncomfortable with the fact they had given out personal information to people that were not elections officers," she said. "When we come to the door, it's really clear who we are."

Edelman said she has followed up every complaint with a call to the Conservatives.

Warren Holland, a member of Pasloski's campaign team, told CBC News that the problem is being fixed.

Campaign volunteers are being told to wear Pasloski buttons and tell homeowners right away who they are representing, he said.