An Alberta NDP sign for candidates Kim Schreiner and Rachel Notley was defaced along Taylor Drive in Red Deer over the weekend of Mar. 23-25. Credit: Torry Hartzler-Reichenbacher

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Everywhere's a sign

Election sign vandals face charges if caught

Mar 28, 2019 | 6:21 PM

Attention has been drawn to the vandalism of election signs this week after several incidents around the province, including in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer.

It was over the weekend that a number of NDP signs along Red Deer’s Taylor Drive were discovered with graffiti on them, specifically a circle around the name Rachel Notley with a cross through it, as well as the message ‘F— Trudeau.’

Cole Kander, who previously sought the UCP nomination in Red Deer-North, posted on social media this week that he was making a goodwill donation of $25 to NDP incumbent Kim Schreiner’s campaign because of the graffiti.

“Defacing signs helps no one. I think this stems from the constant attacks the NDP have been campaigning on and I would hope that this one small gesture can be seen as the way to campaign instead of personal attacks,” Kander says in a statement.

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Kander, who is overseeing two UCP election campaigns in Edmonton, added in a Facebook post, “We will win this election by taking the high road and I feel the need to make this right. Do NOT resort to negative tactics.”

An NDP spokesperson also provided a short statement, saying, “We know that sign vandalism happens, but we’re focused on running a positive campaign.”

The defacing, damaging or destruction of election signage could land you a mischief charge under the Criminal Code of Canada. Placing graffiti on property is also punishable under The City of Red Deer’s Community Standards Bylaw.