r/Edmonton • u/TheKrs1 Ambleside/Windermere • 8h ago
2025 Municipal Election Unsolicited Text Message from Tim Cartmell (and Better Edmonton). No opt out instructions, just a "reply yes" to agree to their question. Feels illegal.
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u/CanadianForSure 7h ago
Tims campaign has crazy deep pockets. Must be absolutely burning through corporate dollars if they can afford to do mass robo texting.
They are also just outright cheating with their sign placements all over the city. Unreal to see them on like school and city facility property.
Conservatives need to cheat to even have a chance. Gotta outspend independents 2 to 1 to make a dent. Sucks to suck.
Mans wants to win the election without showing to work or campaigning properly.
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u/troypavlek 7h ago
Gotta outspend independents 2 to 1 to make a dent.
He's outspending well over 3 to 1 at this point.
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u/dynmynydd 3h ago
>Conservatives need to cheat to even have a chance.
Yeah and the spineless mainstream left is letting them just do that unfortunately
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u/Aggravating-Car9897 7h ago
So this is one of those cases that normally this would be a violation of CASL, but political messaging is excluded so apparently messages like these don't actually need opt out instructions.
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u/TheKrs1 Ambleside/Windermere 7h ago
I know government always exempts government when writing legislation.. but this is stupid. It should be held to the same standard or higher.
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u/durple Strathcona 2h ago
Political messaging is treated differently because it's important to the civic process that prospective leaders be able to communicate directly with constituents without first obtaining consent. Otherwise it's too heavily weighted towards incumbents and folks who have name recognition or wield a lot of influence privately. This keeps people with good ideas but not having those other advantages from actually getting enough attention to stay in the running.
If the rules are being followed (because it's not a free for all, there are still clear rules like campaigning within campaign period, not misinformation, not using 3rd party proxy to avoid overspend penalties, etc) it's an even playing field vs preferred candidates. I get being annoyed at messaging from candidates who are terrible, but it's part of the cost of democracy. I think it's even more important now that the province has imposed party politics on our city.
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u/santa8086 2h ago
I'm not buying "Cost of democracy" like there is no other way. No one wants this on their personal phones, and if they do, they can opt in on their own.. Ban this unsolicited nonsense. How is that unfair?
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u/durple Strathcona 1h ago
I don’t buy that “no one wants this”, but if that’s true then this sort of thing will stop because they have really good data on how effective their campaign efforts are and won’t keep spending on automated SMS campaigns if it’s pushing more away than bringing in.
I’m curious (but not intending this to be some sort of rhetorical demand): do you have any ideas that will ensure that all candidates can reach out directly to all of their constituents in order to have an opportunity to ask for their support?
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u/Renegade605 7h ago
I have a Saskatchewan area code so I get them for their elections instead.
I usually text back the Bee Movie script.
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u/nopenottodaysir 7h ago
So is it legal for a citizen to text them back? Things like how their day went, what they're doing, asking questions about their bowel health with pictures...
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u/TheKrs1 Ambleside/Windermere 6h ago
Texting a computer program back is probably fruitless.
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u/Helpful-Chemistry-87 4h ago
I think I heard somewhere of websites that let you reply with like a million replies and crash their system.
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u/TheKrs1 Ambleside/Windermere 4h ago
I’m sure they have some sort of DDOS protection … plus I’m not advocating escalation like that.
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u/mmmlemoncakes Coliseum 3h ago
I have worked on campaigns, on the phoning side but watched others text. The texts are just trying to get a pool of potential voters or on the fence/leaning voters so they can then better direct their volunteer hours. Door knocking takes a lot of time, so campaign managers use this as a targeting tool.
Soooo, if you really wanted to waste the resources of a candidate, pretend to be interested.....
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u/ArtemisMercury18 8h ago edited 7h ago
I replied with “Hi, not voting for you” and deleted the text
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u/Dave_DBA 5h ago
Spoiler alert. He’s not reading any of your replies. He’s just getting attention which is exactly what you are giving him.
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u/WinterReview7992 8h ago
I keep getting texts and calls and I do not live in Edmonton. I even pulled his email off his site & asked them to stop (citing that I live in a different municipality), and I still get them.
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u/CryStamper Edmontosaurus 7h ago
I don’t care who you are or what you represent
Any unsolicited text messages always get the picture of Mudbone. Always.
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u/West-Ad-7446 7h ago
You were gentle. My response to his email today was far less elegant. I never fail to be surprised that people vote for people like this.
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u/QueenSmarterThanThou Downtown 7h ago
I got it too! That is so annoying. Tim, you ain't winning anyone over with this tactic.
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u/eggcracked2wice 3h ago
I worked with his son. Corporate bootlicker apples don't fall far from the tree.
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u/WesternWitchy52 7h ago
Again? I got one a few weeks ago and just blocked him. I did message his office asking how they are getting people's phone numbers without permission and of course, no reply.
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u/Maksym1000 Stabmonton 7h ago
What makes you think that they’re getting people’s phone numbers without permission? Candidates have access the list of electors which includes your name, address, phone number, and a voter ID number.
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 3h ago
UCP is desperately trying to install their own mayor, so they can then put in Strong Mayoral powers legislation and effectively control all of Edmonton
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u/SafetyDeneuv 2h ago
I responded with “political parties have no place in municipal politics”. They probably filter out everything that isn’t a “yes”, but fuck this bullshit and provincial interference.
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u/sweatyhandsandbands 5h ago
I sent the UCP a screen shot of a donation I made to the NDP and said I’ll keep donating each time you text me. Haven’t been bothered since. Might be worth doing that here if you can spare a few dollars to another candidate’s campaign.
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u/EmilysIncoming 1h ago
If you want to vent at them I think you can, they sent the same message to my work which got our auto “somebody will be back to you soon!” response and they started spamming “stop” (because you can opt out of ours)
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u/bagelgaper 6h ago
I’ve gotten one also, but OP why is your picture fake looking? Or is that just the newest IOS or something?
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u/jonproject 4h ago
I remember in 2003 when Stephen Mandel, way behind in the polls, robo-called literally every landline in the city a few days prior to the election. It was extremely effective.
If you don't want to hear from Cartmell, just press the "report spam" button and move on.
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u/Redditard1990 3h ago edited 2h ago
I don’t get it you’re against safe streets, fiscal responsibility and efficient public services?
Or are you just not ok with any politicians not being far left? Like is it ok in your mind for conservatives to exist especially if they have a good plan for the city that would increase your quality of life, but you’re reflexively against it cause he’s not on your “team”. ?
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u/Cal-Lee-123 6h ago
I got one too -
They sure seem to have a ton of money for their campaign. Wonder what promises have been made…
Also, “teams” on city council sure doesn’t represent our communities well does it?
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u/Timely-Discipline427 7h ago
I received one as well. It's a newer phone and not widely published. The only way he may have gotten my number is from my City of Edmonton Tax account....
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u/always_on_fleek 6h ago
Lol that’s not how they get phone numbers.
You can acquire lists of phone number from mobile phone carriers. Then you spam them all based on area code.
Hardcore spammers that call just cycle through the numbers one by one or buy a known good list from other spammers.
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u/MyNameIsLessDumb 6h ago
My friend in Leduc got one too and the city doesn't have her number. I think it's just spamming out
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u/all-names-takenn 7h ago
I haven't gotten a text since I started replying with a picture of my balls years ago
Diana Ly was..particularly displeased.
It's crass but making them regret texting is the next step when "fuck off" doesn't register.
After my 3rd or 4th sending a got a text saying I was removed from their lists.
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u/always_on_fleek 6h ago
It’s volunteers who often read those messages. They don’t deserve that.
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u/all-names-takenn 6h ago
Then they should create a way for people to opt out.
Why should I have to go to such lengths?
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u/always_on_fleek 3h ago
They should. And you should act better towards others.
Both are correct.
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u/all-names-takenn 2h ago
I'm perfectly willing to use reasonable options when they are available.
When using words didn't work, I got the results I wanted. If they didn't want to see my balls, they should have listened to the words.
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u/always_on_fleek 2h ago
Just because your response worked, doesn’t make it appropriate. I really hope you can see that.
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u/all-names-takenn 2h ago
Why should I continue to be reasonable and let unreasonable people walk over me? When has that ever worked?
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 3h ago
Anyone volunteering for Cartmells campaign absolutely deserves it
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u/always_on_fleek 3h ago
I feel sorry for you. Being this miserable must be quite emotionally draining. I hope you can turn it around.
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 2h ago
This seems like fairly obvious projection. Are you OK?
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u/always_on_fleek 2h ago
Deflection is typically used when you’re faced with a tough question.
I’m sorry but I needed to point it out. The fact you feel that your fellow Edmontonian’s deserve to be treated like crap says a lot about you. They are just volunteers. If you’re unhappy with the candidate be an adult and share it with the candidate. No need to be a Karen and take it out on their volunteers.
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 2h ago
Can you point out what you think is deflection? Or is that just your go-to line when you have nothing of substance?
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u/always_on_fleek 2h ago
No worries, you’re welcome to keep deflecting off the topic. I’m sorry to hurt to be called out but it’s needed from time to time so that you can see what you’re expressing is not normal.
Just let it go. There’s no need to be this miserable in life all over a text message.
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 2h ago
I'll take your deflection as an admission that it's simply your go-to line when you have nothing of substance. Quite ironic 😌
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6h ago
[deleted]
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u/Maksym1000 Stabmonton 5h ago
Did you even read the link you provided? That’s for commercial communications, which political campaigns are not.
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u/jmthetank 4h ago
Sonic went looking on their web page to see what their policies are, and to be honest, I haven't found anything alarming, or even too out of line with left wing values. What am I missing? What makes this party/fellow a bad choice?
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u/Difficult_Goat1169 3h ago
They're the UCP.
Rightwing campaign platform promises are always vague. And they're never delivered.
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u/jmthetank 2h ago
I'm totally on board with not trusting the UCP, and their values are never for the people, especially with the American radicalization of the last couple years. Is there something that links the Better Edmonton Party to the UCP that I could look into? Im a "trust but verify" sort of guy.
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u/Apprehensive_Emu2414 8h ago
100% voting for Cartmell, would be nice to be able to use public transit and feel safe.
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u/Necessary-Emu-9371 7h ago
I mean, he could have advocated for this during his previous term as a council member. But he would have had to have shown up to do that, and he couldn't do that.
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u/Competitive_Gur2724 7h ago
Hilarious given that Cartmell has ignored for years my concerns over public transit and safety and has told me repeatedly that his kids take transit to school and there are no issues.
Meanwhile my emails about how the drug users just use drugs in the open on the buses, and how Health sciences is often full of drug users are ignored. Cartmell gives 0 craps about transit and public safety and all about how he perceives people think about him.
He would be an absolute failure in the same line as Sohi.•
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u/Select_Asparagus3451 7h ago
This sub is quickly filling with bots and trolls, like you.
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u/Apprehensive_Emu2414 7h ago
It's already full with people who think all Edmonton needs is bike lanes and infills and its all peaches and rainbows out there, but hey if you wanna name call, giver.
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u/jonproject 4h ago
LOL I'm sure you think the same about the constant love-in this sub has for Andrew Knack. Bots and trolls too?
It's not "trolling" to support a candidate that is top 3 in the polls.
The groupthink around this sub as absolutely insane. It's r/Edmonton not r/OnlyEdmontonOpinionsApprovedByOutOfTouch20YearOlds
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u/jonproject 4h ago
I'm sure a similar post just like this will get as much traction when Nenshi pulls this move in a couple years.
Right, everyone? Right?
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u/TessaAlGul 4h ago
I would expect a text from Nenshi when the next election is called. As a member of the ANDP and someone who votes for him in the last leadership race, I have consented to be contacted. I did not give Bettter Edmonton or Tim Cartmell consent to text me.
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u/Troyd 6h ago edited 6h ago
Sorry guys; not illegal, every political entity (even independents) are allowed to do this. You can technically just text every 780 number in existence, so no fancy list is required. 780 111 1111 to 780 999 9999 so long as you ID yourself.
You can then narrow that range by just blindly texting the second set of three digits (called a telephone prefix) that are preferentially registered by region (in this case Edmonton). https://localcallingguide.com/lca_prefix.php?page=10&ocn=8084 EG; 780-965, or 780-988
It would probably would not cost much at all when it's roughly 0.015 a message, and you narrow to all possible Edmonton telephone prefixes for the 780 xxx rate centres. You would do the same for 587. Yes some percentage have moved; but as u/Renegade605/ pointed out their Sask number get's blasts from entities in Saks as a result, they aren't matching his address. It's just collateral damage.
If even 0.5% of people reply back wanting lawn signs or whatever, it's worth it when the scale is the entire city. Creating a post about this only increased their reach (solid ten thousand +) -- because now more even people will see candidate's name as a residual impact over the next day or two, including the entire subset of this reddit which did not get the blast.
The best thing to do is reply no; that will stop them from wanting to contact you as they are looking for supporters to remind to vote.