Elections Commissioner Caroline Simard has determined that an anti-Israel advocacy group did not violate federal election rules when it published candidate endorsements online. The group had accused Jewish people of genocide in its campaign materials, reports Blacklock’s Reporter.Access to Information documents reveal that Simard's office dismissed complaints about Vote Palestine's activities during the recent federal election. Critics argued the group should have registered as a third party under the Canada Elections Act.The commissioner's office explained its decision in a written statement. "The Act requires that a third party register with Elections Canada immediately after having incurred expenses in an aggregate amount of $500 or more related to regulated activities,” said the statement..These activities include election advertising and partisan activities as defined by law."Our Office reviewed the information and determined the group's activities were not election advertising or partisan activity," said the statement.Federal election law defines advertising as "the transmission of an election advertising message to the public." Meanwhile, partisan activity means any message that "promotes or opposes a registered party or eligible party or the election of a potential candidate."Vote Palestine focused on promoting a boycott of Israel during its campaign. The organization made serious accusations against Jewish people, claiming they committed "atrocities," "genocide,” and "war crimes." .The group listed 149 sponsors on its website, including major organizations like the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, Canadian Federation of Students, CUPE Ontario, and Greenpeace.The advocacy group created what it called the Palestine Platform to help voters make decisions. "Constituents can use this platform to evaluate the candidates in their riding to help them decide who to vote for on election day," Vote Palestine stated. The organization described its platform as representing "the unified demands of the Palestinian community and people across the country who consider Canada's position on Palestine a top election issue."Vote Palestine endorsed candidates from the Liberal, NDP, and Green parties by name. After the election ended, the group maintained its pressure campaign. .“The election is over, but our work isn’t,” it announced on its website. “Keep up the pressure.”The organization encouraged supporters to contact candidates who had not endorsed their platform. “The candidates have endorsed the Palestine Platform,” said the organizers. “Let candidates know we won’t support candidates that don’t stand up for Palestine. Don’t see your candidate? Send an email to tell them their position on Palestine will affect how you act in this election and beyond.”Twenty-eight Members of Parliament received endorsements from Vote Palestine. .Thirteen of these candidates were re-elected.The Liberal MPs who were re-elected include Iqra Khalid from Mississauga-Erin Mills, ON, Tim Louis from Kitchener-Conestoga, ON, and Adam van Koeverden from Burlington North, ON. Patrick Weiler from West Vancouver, BC, Salma Zahid from Scarborough Centre, ON, and Sameer Zuberi from Pierrefonds-Dollard, QC, also returned to Parliament.Seven NDP MPs who received endorsements were re-elected. These include Alexandre Boulerice from Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, QC, Don Davies from Vancouver Kingsway, BC, and Leah Gazan from Winnipeg Centre, MB. Gord Johns from Courtenay-Alberni, BC, Jenny Kwan from Vancouver East, BC, and Heather McPherson from Edmonton Strathcona, AB, also were elected.Green Party leader Elizabeth May from Saanich-Gulf Islands, BC, was the only Green candidate endorsed by the group who secured re-election.
