'American style politics': Sask. Party's mass video text a risky way to grab support, experts say
Many Saskatchewan residents have been receiving unsolicited political text messages of the Sask. Party taking aim at the Saskatchewan NDP and their leader Carla Beck.
Media experts say texting can be an effective campaign tool, but parties run the risk of annoying some voters.
The video accuses NDP leader Carla Beck of travelling to Ottawa to plot and election strategy with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to get Liberals re-elected.
“I grew up on a farm. I know B-S when I see it,” Beck said of the video.
Last week, the three leaders attended a labour convention in Ottawa but did not share the podium together. One attendee has posted a photo on X to make the point.
“This isn’t something to be taken lightly. You know, they can do what they are going to do. This is on them, the reality in this province whether that’s in education, in health care,” Beck said.
The texts were authorized by Saskatchewan Party which stand by the messaging.
“Well, texting in Saskatchewan is nothing new. The political parties in Saskatchewan have been using texting since the 2020 election,” Sask. Party executive director Patrick Bundrock said.
Some media experts consider the video American style politics.
“This particular message itself, really it lacks any issue based matter and really just looks at defaming the other party,” educational technology professor at the University of Regina, Alec Couros said.
It’s another way of reaching voters at the risk of being annoying to some, Couros added.
“Ultimately I think it will irritate people but most of the people who are irritated probably are people that aren’t going to vote for you anyway.”
Political parties do have authority to send text messaging to voters.
The Saskatchewan Party says it maintains a do not call list for those who do not wish to receive its messages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.