Ontario Liberals caught playing 'dirty' in Pit Bull Ban

[Sansano]

Wow. These guys are unbelievable. As a few of you know I am friends with our local MPP in this area Tim Hudak. I recently posted his web poll on here. Tonight we were out for a beer when he filled me in on the latest Liberal dirty trick. It seems one of the Attorney General's advisors has been circulating an e-mail petition to get support for the Pit Bull ban. Petitions started by the government in support of their own bills is a big no-no and unbelievably dishonest. These petitions are then brought forward as further proof that the public is in support of the ban! What a crock. This came to Tim's attention today when a friend of ours received the e-mail and forwarded it to Tim who brought it to the Star's attention. This is going to be a very dirty fight folks. It's one thing for these guys to be ignorant; it's another for them to be corrupt. Here is the article from today's Toronto Star.

A senior adviser to Attorney General Michael Bryant asked dozens of people to support an online petition backing the government's proposed ban on pit bulls.

A document obtained by the Toronto Star shows that on Oct. 22 Tom Allison contacted 40 people, including several Liberal political staff members, asking them to "take a minute and sign this petition."

Bryant defended his adviser's action, saying Allison was free to promote the ban since he made the appeal on his own e-mail account and his own time. Allison did not return phone calls from the Star.

"It is just one of many e-mails that many Ontarians are sending all across this province as they engage in this important debate," he said.

But NDP Leader Howard Hampton said what the minister's aide did was "downright dishonest" and throws into doubt the supposed overwhelming support Bryant claimed to have for his pit bull legislation. "This is an attempt to manipulate and create the impression (there is public support). This is called dishonesty; this is trying to manipulate public opinion," Hampton said.

Currently, there are two rival petitions, one supporting the ban and one opposed to it. So far, the second, orchestrated by the Toronto Humane Society, is winning hands down with 13,129 names, compared with only 4,987 in favour on the petition that Allison promoted.

Critics said the sign-up campaign is a clear sign the government is not feeling too confident that any pit bull ban has wide public support. Conservative MPP Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln) said while the ban at first blush was relatively popular, that popularity is waning as dog owners begin to understand the details.

[Christine D]

Unbelievable!! I hope people in Ontario read that article and start standing up and complaining!! We are getting worried out here in the west. Alberta is watching Ontario and I think if things go through with the bans there it will only be a matter of time before it happens here.

[Ilovemypuppy]

I hope the people of Ontario really nail this government for this grand standing, hateful campaign against innocent dogs and their owners. Hopefully New Brunswick's example will be heeded in the end. It's a dirty fight alright :o(

[Faceless]

The problem is, it seems that unless they have a vested interest in this issue, the public either doesn't care or will side with the government.

Sheep. And it's tough to educate sheep.

[Sansano]

Here is the bogus site they sent around. Wonder if such a group even exists :

http://www.banpitbulls.org/

[Canadianrotti]

sent an e-mail to the above, just let them know that I support education and training, but NOT banning a breed. I am looking forward to a reply.

[Homerhomer]

Interesting, I have never seen a petition without a clear indication of who created it.
Wonder how is it possible to investigate who is behind it.
Also the petition signature number is flawed, I had a look at first three pages and found duplicate signatures, comments saying to ban dangerous dogs (not breeds) as well as people making comments agains the ban.

[SABELLESMOM]

I sent an e-mail as well. Gosh it took 38 minutes...must be getting longer winded, in my old age.