By Ashley Wiebe

Digital door knocking may do more harm than good

Mar 21, 2018 | 4:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Political parties are trying everything to get your attention.

The NDP Caucus has turned to texting Albertans in hopes of hearing more about the issues people are facing, but some say it may be doing more harm than good.

“Every time I get a phone call that I don’t recognize on my cell phone, I think, ‘Where did they get my number from?’,” said Jim Groom, political science instructor at Medicine Hat College.

It’s a question popping up more and more when it comes to certain types of text messages people are receiving.

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It includes messages from people like Doug, who asks if you know that Premier Rachel Notley and her caucus are fighting for pipeline jobs.

“Do you support their actions on the pipeline?” the text asks. It goes on to allow the recipient to text back the word STOP to unsubscribe from future messages.

“When you’re doing this, it’s a bit of Russian roulette, where you really have to be cautious that you’re not putting yourself in a position where you’re going to get more criticism, rather than less, because of these actions that you’re taking,” Groom added.

The caucus is using a program which randomly generates mobile numbers. Real volunteers are waiting on the other end to answer any questions thrown their way.

The party is also making phone calls in hopes of reaching more people.

United Conservative Party MLA Drew Barnes said he’s heard from constituents who aren’t happy about the new tactic.

He said others feel like they’ve had their opinions heard.

“They’re saying, ‘Hey, I’ve been telling these NDP that they’re way off track, what they’ve done has harmed our economy and our next generation’,” he said, over the phone from Edmonton.

Heather Sweet, the caucus chair for the NDP said in a statement, “We’re reaching out to Albertans all across the province in a way [which] is convenient and relevant to our constituents”

The statement goes on to say “Like door knocking, attending events and meetings, phoning and texting helps us reach even more Albertans about the issues that matter to them.”

She added, “If you receive a text message and choose to interact, a volunteer on the other end of the connection is happy to answer questions and provide information.”

“I thought most parties by now recognized that they have to be really cautious,” Groom said. “They have to ensure that they’re targeting people who want to be approached.”

Groom said the move could do more harm moving forward.

“The result is that you’ve actually aggravated folks more than you’ve pleased them and they remember that at the polls,” he said.

“Under our new leader, I’ve been making quite a bit of noise that we need to be very respectful of how we contact people and we should only contact them in the way that they want to be contacted,” Barnes added. “We’re going to hear from them the old fashioned way. Over coffees and over kitchen tables.”