About those US Republicans who campaign for Canadians

Something about this post by Alison has been bugging me. Front Porch Technologies president Matthew D. Parker was photographed working in the campaign office of Julian Fantino (Vaughan). And then, by his own hand on 20 April, 2011, in a Twitter thing:

Knocking on doors for MP Rick Dykstra. People don't like liberals here!

That would be Harper party member Rick Dykstra (St. Catharines).

So we have West Virginia born, Ohio resident, US citizen, Matt Parker phoning and knocking and just "taking Toronto by storm".

OK, let's continue this with a particular definition.

induce
in-duce [in-doos -dyoos]
1. to lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind: to induce a person to buy a raffle ticket.

... like making direct contact with Canadian electors and suggesting they vote for your candidate ... or phoning them directly to gather support ... or handing them candidate and party literature. 

Now let's look at a little chunk of the Canada Elections Act. 

Non-interference by Foreigners

Prohibition – inducements by non-residents

331. No person who does not reside in Canada shall, during an election period, in any way induce electors to vote or refrain from voting or vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate unless the person is

• (a) a Canadian citizen; or



• (b) a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

In any way, it says. In other words, sit on your hands, stay off peoples porches and keep your mouth shut. 


Perhaps Fantino and Dykstra can explain.