Earlier, Public Eye reported Xentel DM Inc. phoned Vancouverites on Thursday to ask them a few (loaded) questions about the upcoming civic election. Which makes one wonder who paid for that poll. In an interview with Public Eye, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan's campaign manager Colin Metcalfe said "It sounds like a Sun poll to me. But I don't know. We're not doing any polling that I'm aware. It sounds like they're doing it for a story. That's my guess."

Meanwhile, Public Eye has learned Xentel has a somewhat controversial business background. For example, back in February 2000, the Canadian Press reported the telemarketing firm kept 80 per cent of the $81,820 during a 32-day fundraising blitz for the Toronto Police Association.

And, two years later, according to the Kelowna Daily Courier, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia have "pulled the plug on any further involvement with an NHL old-timers team after concerns arose that the majority of proceeds (just ten percent) from their games were not going to charity." At the time, the company promoting that team - Xentel - "cited high expenses in producing the games" as the reason for the poor return rate.

Xentel is said to be one of two telemarketing firms employed by conservative parties in Canada - the other being the Toronto-based Responsive Marketing Group Inc. Xentel has not yet responded to an interview request from Public Eye.