I have just received my first ‘attack ad’ piece from a local candidate here in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca. And I am definitely less than impressed.
It arrived in the form of a slick, single page filled with glossy black and white images over-scored with red lettering. It is very dramatic and very startling.
The flyer states that Canadians had a choice to either “crack down on human smuggling” and “put drug dealers behind bars,” or “have another election.”
And who is to blame for blocking these essential law-and-order measures? Why, the NDP, of course! Because “the NDP chose an election.”
The flyer is so absurdly over the top that it would be funny if it weren’t so offensive. The flyer does not inform voters; rather it seems designed to manipulate and frighten them.
And who is responsible for this fear-mongering? Well, get out the magnifying glass and read the very fine print in the bottom corner and you will see that this piece comes to your doorstep courtesy of the Troy DeSouza campaign.
I guess the Conservative candidate for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca thinks that rather than winning your vote with his ideas and ideals, his chances are better if he can scare you into voting for him.
We have done well without this kind of vitriolic, deceptive spin in the local campaigns to date. Let’s keep it that way.
Trish Richards
Victoria
