Text messages and robocalls designed to “sabotage” the leadership campaigns of Danielle Smith and Todd Loewen were recently sent to UCP members by parties who shouldn’t have access to membership lists..Shaping Alberta’s Future, a political action party (PAC) that supports Premier Jason Kenney, sent text messages critical of Smith..It is unknown how many messages were texted, but there were enough to generate a backlash on the UCP Leadership Race Facebook page.. Robocall from Shaping Alberta's FutureRobocall from Shaping Alberta's Future .The texts sent last weekend read: “Hi, it’s Jon from Shaping Alberta’s Future (SAF). Trust a true conservative in the UCP leadership race — not one of convenience.”.It provides a link to a critical article on the SAF website entitled “Danielle Smith is a conservative of convenience.”.Who exactly Jon is remains unclear..The site has other articles that are critical of Smith, the current frontrunner in the race, the results to be announced October 6..“This was texted out to UCP members, which is weird because PACs don’t have access to the membership lists,” said a party insider..“How did they get the membership list if they’re not supposed to have it?”.The SAF did not respond to a Western Standard email request for comment..Peter Kiss, president and CEO of Edmonton-based Morgan Construction and Environmental Ltd. did not return a call..“He’s one of the largest developers in Edmonton, a Kenney loyalist. It’s his PAC, his baby, he built it from the ground up,” another UCP insider told the Western Standard..“According to their website, it (the PAC) was founded to help support Kenney and the UCP, so how involved is Kenney in a PAC that’s supporting him? He’d probably be pretty involved. Is there really any way you can show he’s involved? Probably not.”.“But the PAC has been sending out text messages to UCP supporters, including people who didn’t give their number to a PAC. So obviously they have a list of UCP supporters.”.“Of course, it’s attacking Danielle Smith who is probably not Kenney’s preferred candidate.”.Since this violates rules, UCP members want to know if the party sent out a cease-and-desist order to stop contacting members from lists they shouldn’t have access to..“We take the security of our membership data very seriously and are looking into it,” said UCP spokesman Dave Prisco in an email Monday..The Western Standard has not heard back from the UCP..On Tuesday, Smith took to Twitter.."I am sure many of you have received this bizarre call or have seen the other wild ads out there coming from shadow groups," tweeted Smith Tuesday.."I would encourage all campaigns to fully distance themselves from these tactics & groups.".Meanwhile, Loewen warned members about fake robocalls, alleged to be conducted on behalf of his campaign..“On Monday, September 19, I was informed that robocalls were being made to UCP members endorsing me for leader. I want to be clear: I have not authorized any robocalls except for one (over a month ago) in August,” he said in a statement..“My campaign has not paid for any other automated calls. I do try to respect your phone lines and use these tools sparingly.”.The robocalls provided a phone number and link not affiliated with Loewen’s campaign. His correct website address is www.toddloewen.com.When contacted, Loewen said he believes whoever is responsible also has unauthorized access to the membership list used to send the Smith texts..“Whoever is sending out this robocall, they’ve got the membership list too,” said Loewen when contacted..“It obviously is somebody trying to hurt the campaign because the website address it goes to — Todd Loewen.ca — goes to the WEF (World Economic Forum).”.“Somebody picked up that address after the last campaign. It used to direct to the Independence Party fundraising website. Now they’ve switched it to WEF.”.“They obviously intend to sabotage because it has unhelpful inaccuracies in it.”.Loewen issued a warning..“Whoever it is needs to stop. I’ll have to seek legal action if they don’t.”.Loewen asked members to record these robocalls and demand the callers identify themselves and explain how they acquired their personal information..“Leadership contestants cannot direct the advertising of their-party advertisers or PACs by law,” said Loewen..“Anyone doing political advertising is required to inform you which organization they represent and provide contact information. Third parties are free to endorse (or criticize) whoever they want, but the only do so on behalf of themselves.”.They should not be misrepresenting themselves as operating on behalf of a candidate, he added..He noted that it is illegal for a third-party to collude with a candidate for advertising purposes which “includes paid calling and robocalling.”.That is outlined in the Elections Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
