Voters never gonna give him up? Can London, Ont.'s Van Meerbergen 'Rickroll' to re-election?
Fair tactics, dirty politics or just an election prank?
Ward 10 incumbent in London, Ont., Paul Van Meerbergen confirms that he no longer controls the website address listed on some of his election signs.
Instead, voters who go to paulvanmeerbergen.ca are ‘Rickrolled,’ an internet prank that unexpectedly redirects the viewer to the music video for the 1987 song ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by singer Rick Astley.
The video has over 1.2 billion views on YouTube generated by Rickrolling since 2007.
Van Meerbergen says the situation has temporarily left him without a critical election tool.
“I think there is an expectation that you come into an election with a website, that the information is there,” he told CTV News.
Van Meerbergen admits he did not renew the registration of his web address when it came due — only to discover someone has anonymously purchased the URL for the next four years.
“Hate to admit that when I heard this story I laughed a little bit,” said technology expert Carmi Levy.
Levy points out that the damage caused to the incumbent councillor’s campaign could have been much worse if the address was used to damage Van Meerbergen’s reputation or it was held for ransom.
“Politicians should know that when you have a website and are using that website as part of your campaign, make sure that the registration for that domain doesn’t lapse,” he advised.
The timing of the registration suggests it’s more than a prank.
An online search reveals the web address was anonymously registered on Aug. 20, just three days after Van Meerbergen filed his papers to seek re-election.
Van Meerbergen said he has registered a new website address, pvanmeerbergen.ca and has started updating his old signs with the new URL.
“It’s very important and we expect it will be live in three days or so,” he said.
Advance polls open in less than two weeks.
Levy said getting an online campaign presence up and running should be a priority for all politicians.
“It is 2022 and if you are going to engage in politics, you are going to have to have a digital presence whether you like it or not,” he said. “That means websites, a social [media] presence, email and other things to meet people in the digital space where they live.”
The other candidates in Ward 10 are Claire Grant, John Kuypers, Kevin May and Michael McMullen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.