Conservative pollster censured for misinformation campaign against Liberal MP

OTTAWA – A Conservative pollster has been censured by the market research industry’s watchdog for conducting a misinformation campaign against Liberal MP Irwin Cotler.

An investigation by the Marketing Research and Intelligence Associations has concluded that the actions of Campaign Research Inc. tarnished the image of the market research profession.

A complaints panel set up by the MRIA says Campaign Research violated three provisions of the association’s code of conduct.

At issue is a poll conducted by Campaign Research on behalf of the federal Conservative party in Cotler’s Montreal riding last autumn.

Respondents were told — falsely — that Cotler was about to resign as the MP for Mount Royal.

Cotler complained about the calls to House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer, who called the tactic “reprehensible,” although he was powerless to take any action.