Text message campaign targets Quebec Conservative MP who left, party apologizes
Posted September 15, 2022 9:15 am.
Last Updated September 15, 2022 10:16 am.
The federal Conservative Party apologized late Wednesday night in a tweet for an automated text message sent earlier in the day to party members in the riding of Richmond-Arthabaska, after MP Alain Rayes left to sit as an independent on Tuesday – Rayes saying that the party’s path under Poilievre is not compatible with his “political ideals, values and convictions.”
Rayes said Pierre Poilievre’s office sent a text message to party members in his Quebec riding asking them to encourage him to resign.
Rayes supported former Quebec premier Jean Charest in the recent Conservative leadership race, which Poilievre won on Saturday night.
The text message seen by The Canadian Press says that Rayes has decided not to fight inflation with Poilievre’s team and encourages recipients to call the MP’s office and tell him to resign.
The Conservative Party of Canada apologizes for an automated text message sent out earlier today to party members in the riding of Richmond-Arthabaska.
— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) September 15, 2022
Rayes, who represents the Richmond-Arthabaska riding east of Montreal, says he has no plan to resign and that the text message campaign is an attempt to intimidate other Conservative MPs.
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When asked about the prominent MP’s departure on Tuesday, Poilievre had delivered a similar message about Rayes deciding not to fight inflation, which he blames on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
