Nova Scotia Proud’s robocalls are making the rounds again.
People across the province have recently been receiving robocalls asking if they support the long-gun registry.
Anyone else get a “Nova Scotia Proud” Robocall about long gun registry....???
— Eco Yogini (@Eco_Yogini) March 29, 2019
The Long-gun Registry Act ended in April 2012 after Bill C-19 came into effect, eliminating the requirement to register non-restricted firearms.
Devin Drover, one of Nova Scotia Proud’s three directors, said the survey is only for the not-for-profit organization’s use.
“N.S. Proud is not affiliated with any political party, nor do we share any information or co-ordinate with any political party in any way,” said Drover, despite previously working for the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Most of Nova Scotia Proud’s Facebook page’s posts target the Liberal government.
The group alleges Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is “using legal loop-holes to create a back-door registry” and is asking people to sign a petition.
“Our concern is not red or blue or orange — our concern is with politicians that implement bad policies that negatively impact Nova Scotians,” said Drover.
Drover said Nova Scotia Proud is a separate organization from Ontario Proud — a third-party political advertiser which received more than $500,000 in donations — “but will share content from other groups when our goals align.”
Hm... just got a robocall from "Nova Scotia Proud" asking me whether I favour a return of the long gun registry. I punched in yes, and it shut down. Beware of such "polls" #nspoli
— Dan Leger (@Dantheeditor) March 27, 2019
Under Nova Scotia’s Elections Act, third-party advertisers are permitted to “spend up to $2,188.75 on advertising that promotes or opposes the election of one or more candidates in an electoral district,” according to Elections Nova Scotia website.
Elections Nova Scotia has received enquiries about the group’s robocalls soliciting donations, spokeswoman Naomi Shelton said.
“We are advising people to report such donation requests to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission,” said Shelton.
Shelton said Elections Nova Scotia has been in contact with Nova Scotia Proud about the province’s political advertising rules.
“Because we are not in an election period, the type of telephone campaign is outside our mandate,” said Shelton.
The organization also did a survey on health-care wait times in February, CBC reported.
Drover wouldn’t say how the surveys are funded, but stated the group “happily accepts donations from anyone who shares our values.”
Just got a robocall from Nova Scotia proud...
— Tessa Pekeles (@Tessa_N_P) March 28, 2019
