Nipissing-Timiskaming candidates disappointed after election signs vandalized
This federal election campaign is bringing out the worst in some people in North Bay.
Signs belonging to the Liberal and NDP campaigns in the Nipissing-Timiskaming rising are being stolen, knocked over and, in a few cases, spray painted with vulgar remarks.
"To see people go out and actually spray paint and damage signs -- the vitriol coming out of some people and it's coming from a small minority," said Liberal candidate Anthony Rota.
Rota's signs have been knocked over and one was even spray painted with the words "F*** JT". In Nickel Belt, Rota's colleague Marc Serré's signs are also being vandalized.
Meanwhile, NDP candidate Scott Robertson said since the beginning of the campaign, his signs have fallen victim to vandals.
"It's extremely frustrating. They're doing a disservice to the district," said Robertson. "We're trying to bring change to this district and it's frustrating when that happens. When we have people tampering with election signs, it can affect the outcome of the election."
North Bay Police are on the lookout for anyone tampering with election signs.
"The property belongs to the person running for office," said Insp. Jeff Warner. "You could be charged criminally with a mischief offence or if you take the item, it's a theft."
Rota, who is seeking re-election, said he hasn't seen a political climate this intense for quite some time. He said he believes it's due to the nature of social media.
"What happens is the groups that are pushing it are pushing it more and more on social media it seems and they find each other and empower themselves," he said.
Rota acknowledged the growing tension at Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's campaign rallies.
CTV News reached out to the Nipissing-Timiskaming Conservative riding association for comment. Candidate Steven Trahan sent this statement:
"I have heard that my opponents Scott Robertson and Anthony Rota elections signs have also been damaged and stolen, as several of my elections signs has been spray painted and taken within the city as well outside the city.
"I wish people would respect the signs as a lot of hard work from volunteers from all of the campaign parties has been put in. I ask if anyone witnesses anyone causing damage or stealing elections signs to take photos of the person and contact either the North Bay Police Service or the Ontario Provincial Police to report the incident."
Police are encouraging anyone who sees election sign tampering taking place to call them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.