NDP calls for an investigation into bot posts about Poilievre rally

NDP MP Charlie Angus has asked the Commissioner of Canada Elections to probe a number of posts on social media, worried they may constitute foreign interference.

NDP MP Charlie Angus has asked the Commissioner of Canada Elections to probe a number of posts on social media, worried they may constitute foreign interference.

Angus claims there were hundreds of posts on social media following the rally from all corners of the world. Each of them shared the same message, claiming they were "still buzzing" from the energy in the room.

"Just got back from Pierre Poilievre's rally in Kirkland Lake and I’m still buzzing from the energy!" wrote a user with the name Alexis, whose account is purportedly from Waikato District, New Zealand.

"Are we going to allow offshore bots and mysterious third party operatives to try and influence Canadian points of view and in the lead up to an election," Angus said in an interview with CTV News. "Or are we going to have integrity in the system?"

A spokesperson for the Commissioner of Canada Elections confirms the organization has received the complaint from Angus. Citing confidentiality provisions of the Canada Elections Act, Myriam Croussette said the commissioner can’t disclose any details in relation to the issue outlined in the letter.

"That said, as we do with any complaint sent to the Commissioner, all allegations are taken seriously and evaluated on a case-by-case basis," said Croussette in an email.

A number of Liberal MPs from ridings in Northern Ontario have written to "X" owner Elon Musk, asking him to crack down on "bot activity" on the platform.