Rob Anders threatens to sue Calgary Signal Hill rival

Calgary Conservative MP Rob Anders says heis pursuing legal action against Ron Liepert, his rival for the newly-created riding of Calgary Signal Hill, over "defamatory claims" aboutvoter outreach.

The two are facing off in a Conservative nomination battlefor the next federal election.

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Liepert, a former Alberta finance minister, said on Monday thatAnders' campaign workers were making impersonating phone calls,claiming they were on behalf of Liepert.

The calls supposedlyaskedresidentshow they were going to vote on the nomination.

Anders claims the allegations are false and sayshis lawyers are exploring his legal options.

"It should come as no surprise to anyone that on the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper's endorsement of Rob Anders is released publicly, that Anders' opponent would resort to deceptive and untruthful tactics," said a statement on Anders' website.

Elections Canada investigating, says Liepert

Liepertresponded with astatement that says Elections Canada is investigating the incident.

"We've filed complaints based on specific instances of calls from the Anders' campaign phone number claiming to be the Liepert campaign," he said in an email.

Liepertsaid he is looking forward to the April 12nomination vote.

Andershas been elected to representthe riding of Calgary West since 1997 andhas seen his fair share of controversy over that time.

The Conservative backbencherwasthe only MP opposed to giving Mandelahonorary Canadian citizenshipin 2001.

Anders also blamed a past car accident forfalling asleep inside the House of Commonsand apologized to veteransafter they criticized him forfalling asleep during a veterans affairs committeemeeting.

Dan Morrison, a former president for the board of directors of the Conservative electoral district association in Anders' riding, has also said he will challenge Anders in the upcoming nomination vote.