An online Abbotsford News poll about the Taboo sex show resulted in an email campaign to attract respondents for the “no” side.
A mass email was reported to have been received by people as far away as Los Angeles, California.
The poll, posted on The News’ website (abbynews.com) from March 2 to 8, asked the question: “Do you approve of the return of the Taboo sex show?”
As of press deadline early Thursday afternoon, more than 1,000 respondents had replied, with 75 per cent indicating they were opposed.
On Wednesday afternoon, before the email campaign began, the poll had received about 350 votes, with 57 per cent in favour. About 300 responses is a typical participation rate.
A copy of the mass email was forwarded to The News by a reader. The author urged people to vote no in the poll because the yes side was ahead.
“Let’s get behind this and prove them wrong ... You can only vote once (per computer). Find as many computers as you can and get voting,” the writer indicated. “Pass this on to your friends and let’s make a difference.”
A woman living in Los Angeles phoned the newsrooom Thursday morning to say she had received the email from a pastor.
Canwest Productions, which runs the Taboo Naughty but Nice Sex Show, announced last month that it was cancelling its fifth annual show at Tradex in Abbotsford.
It cited two reasons – problems with its liquor licence and opposition from “Christian fundamentalists.”
Canwest then announced last week that it is working with the provincial government to address its liquor licence issues, and the Taboo show will return to Abbotsford this year, from May 11 to 13.
The News poll is changed every Thursday afternoon. It now invites responses on the municipal tax increase.