Elections chief fears repeat of robocalls episode without new rules by 2014

OTTAWA – The chief electoral officer says tougher rules need to be in place by next year to prevent false or misleading telephone calls in the next federal election.

Marc Mayrand says given the time it takes for legislation to work through Parliament, new laws need to be in place no later than the end of 2014.

Otherwise, he says he fears a repeat of the so-called robocalls episode from the 2011 election.

Mayrand adds he has yet to be consulted as the governing Conservatives draw up legislation aimed at stopping malicious robocalls.

He released a report yesterday that recommended tough penalties for elections-official impersonators, beefed up investigative powers and more voter privacy.

But the report did not shed light on the identity of the mysterious figure known as “Pierre Poutine,” the person behind a rash of misleading calls in ridings across the country.