Statement from the Patrick Brown Leadership Campaign

BRAMPTON, ON, April 8, 2015 /CNW/ - The Patrick Brown Leadership Campaign has received a large number of reports from Patrick Brown supporters who say they have received harassing telephone calls from call centers.  These calls appear to be targeting supporters from cultural communities with non-English names and we believe are meant to intimidate supporters who are New Canadians.

"This is a shameful practice that we believe is undertaken out of desperation by another campaign," said Mark Towhey, Executive Director of the Patrick Brown Leadership Campaign. "We have filed a formal complaint with Party Headquarters and intend to do so with the CRTC."

It has been reported that the callers typically ask supporters who they are supporting in the PC Campaign Leadership race. When the response is "Patrick Brown," the caller reportedly becomes abusive and demands personal financial information from the supporter, alleging something is wrong with their membership or they may have broken the law.

When asked, the callers reportedly identify themselves as calling on behalf of the Christine Elliott leadership campaign, however there is no independent verification of this.

"If these calls are being made on her behalf, I hope Ms. Elliott will immediately act to end and condemn the practice," added Towhey.

Meanwhile, Patrick Brown continues to travel across the province, building a modern, inclusive PC Party of Ontario with 100,000 members from every walk of life, every cultural community and every corner of the province. Our Party must be truly reflective of modern Ontario.

About Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown has been elected three times as Conservative Member of Parliament for Barrie. Patrick's work with new Canadian communities in the GTA and 20-years' experience in the Conservative movement make him uniquely able to build the broad, winning coalition the PC Party of Ontario needs to win. For more information, please visit: www.VotePatrickBrown.ca   

SOURCE Patrick Brown for the Win

Tamara Macgregor, Director of Communications, Tel: [phone], [email protected]