Angry in the Great White North

As reported in the Simcoe Reformer and reprinted in NoGunNoFuneral.ca:

A provincial Libertarian candidate and gun club member has complained to Elections Ontario about a website promoting a handgun ban because it doesn't identify the person behind the site -- Attorney General Michael Bryant.

Whitby-Oshawa Libertarian candidate Marty Gobin, also a member of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, said that anyone who views the site would believe it's the product of an independent group of citizens supporting Bryant's call for a handgun ban.

Gobin said it should be identified as political advertising. Bryant said he wanted the website to be about ideas -- not politics or politicians -- so he did not put his name on it.

The gun lobby is clearly furious that the "no gun, no funeral" phrase is gaining traction with the public, he said.

"It's my phrase; it's my idea; it's my website," Bryant said. "It's bizarre that people who don't want to register their guns think I should register my website as a dangerous weapon."

I think that's a cheap shot. People want accurate information to be provided, especially when it comes to attempts to change public policy. Not just Marty Gobin, of course, but the Canadian Internet Registration Authority as well.

Michael Bryant explains no taxpayer resources were used to create the site:

The site administrator is the Liberal riding association president for St. Paul's in Toronto, where Bryant is seeking re-election.

A person answering the phone at a number registered to the site says, "Michael Bryant's campaign."

Bryant said constituency resources, which are provided by taxpayers, were not used to develop the site.

Gobin said he was told by Elections Ontario that the website doesn't meet the definition of political advertising because it does not promote a politician or party, but he wants officials to look more closely at the website and the resources used to develop it.

I wouldn't hold my breath. Elections Ontario is taking a very literal view. That this site is encouraging people to support Michael Bryant's position (and so vote for him) is not considered political advertising because Bryant was very careful to not actually put his name on it (but colour the site Liberal red). That Bryant is admitting to have created the site that encourages people to support his position (and so vote for him) seems not to matter.

"It's my phrase; it's my idea; it's my website."

But it's not supposed to help re-elect him? Even if the phone number goes to the Michael Bryant Election office?

Michael Bryant's riding association president is running the site, Michael Bryant's director of operations is getting the emails, the VP of the federal Liberal Party youth wing set up the domain nameserver, and Michael Bryant's election staff is answering the site's phone number.

But it's not related to electioneering and it's not using taxpayer money. OK then.

Update: I'll be discussing Michael Bryant's admission this afternoon at 3:30 EST on Roy Green's radio program, broadcast on the Corus network on their AM talk stations.

If you are interested in listening to the radio spots done on this issue, you can access the CHQR Audio Vault (free subscription required):

• August 17, 1pm segment, starting at 7:10
• August 18, 1pm segment, starting at 46:33

Check out other entries from the No Gun No Funeral category
Results will open in a new window.

Check out what other Canadian bloggers have written about "No Gun No Funeral"
Results will open in a new window.

Check out what other Canadian bloggers have written about Michael Bryant
Results will open in a new window.