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
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.