Fake automated calls about northern Ont. candidate reported to Elections Ontario

An elderly northern Ontario couple is speaking out after they received a robocall involving false election information.

An elderly northern Ontario couple say they received a concerning automated call spreading false information about the independent Algoma-Manitoulin candidate.

READ: A look at the race in Algoma-Manitoulin

Shirlee and Chuck Meeks are both in their 80s and live in Richard’s Landing on St. Joseph’s Island near Sault Ste. Marie.

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Both suffer from health problems and were able to vote from home last week, they told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a phone interview Thursday afternoon.

Robocall spreading false information

Several days after casting their ballots, Shirlee said she received a phone call on her cell phone with a male voice that sounded like a recording.

The call told her that Michael Mantha – who is running for re-election – was not running and that votes for him would be invalid.

“I was kind of concerned because, you know, it is a wasted vote,” she said.

“We were thinking of Mike. Was he not well? Did he change his mind?”

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The couple said they were both “dumbfounded” by the call, so Chuck called Mantha’s office in Elliot Lake to confirm.

That is when he found out the information was a lie.

Elections Ontario also confirmed in an email to CTV News that Mantha is still a candidate.

“Elections Ontario is your trusted information source and we urge people to check with us if they hear something they are not sure of,” Dave Pearce, an Elections Ontario spokesperson, told CTV News in an email.

“Anyone who believes a violation of the Election Act or Election Finances Act has taken place has the option to file a complaint. It must be done formally in writing and can be sent to [e-mail]."

Complaint filed

Mantha’s campaign office said it was informed earlier today about this automated call being circulated amongst voters in the Algoma-Manitoulin riding and has filed a report with Elections Ontario.

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“We want to assure people that this is not true and that making a false claim to influence votes is not the way elections should be run in Ontario,” Max Chapman, a spokesperson for Mantha’s campaign said in a news release.

“We urge all voters to get to the polls and cast their votes today knowing that Michael Mantha is running to be re-elected.”

Elections Ontario declined to comment on whether or not it has received complaints “or on a situation described to us by a third party.”

Provincial election news

Polls close tonight at 9 p.m.

If you are still undecided, CTV News Northern Ontario has information on all of the candidates running in the northeast on our Provincial Election webpage.

We will also have results and reaction from winners and losers as they come in as well.

Elections Ontario has more information on how and where to vote.

• READ: Report details sexual harassment investigation of northern Ont. MPP Michael Mantha
• READ: NDP riding association calls on embattled northern Ont. MPP to resign