Robo-calls allow voters to berate councillors at the press of a button

There has been much sword-rattling and and robo-call–planning in the lead-up to today’s council meeting, where discussion on service cutting is set to begin. But the Globe and Mail reports that with so many contentious cuts either shelved or delayed, much of the scheming may have been a bit overblown. Still, it hasn’t stopped CUPE from planning a relatively sophisticated robo-call campaign, which contacts people in particular wards and connects them through to their councillor’s office if they indicate that they’re willing to give them an earful. Mayor Rob Ford’s supporters are fond of chalking up all dissent to sneaky union tactics, and this sheds some light on those tactics. Of course, it also highlights how one of Ford’s most trusted campaign tools has come back to haunt him. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »