Liberal election signs targeted by thieves

Liberal candidate Trever Kirczenow said he’s frustrated by the disappearance of election signs throughout parts of Provencher.

In what appears to be a targeted campaign, between 40 and 50 signs from Steinbach, Landmark, Lorette and Ste Anne were removed late last week.

On April 5, 19 of them were found tossed in a ditch.

“This is democratic suppression, and it shouldn’t be happening,” Kirczenow said.

Criminal acts toward his election signs aren’t a new phenomenon for the candidate who was the victim of hate speech in the form of stickers applied to his signs during the 2021 campaign.

Kirczenow said election signs are a necessary part of campaigning, and his office is fielding calls from people wondering why there are no signs in their community, forcing them to explain that volunteers had in fact placed signs that were stolen.

He said it’s also dispiriting for his volunteers, many who put a great deal of effort into placing those signs.

“I just think it’s very frustrating for volunteers,” he said. “They’re doing it because they feel it’s important.”

Conservative incumbent Ted Falk said in a statement to The Carillon, that this kind of behaviour is not uncommon.

“We have signs vandalized and stolen in every campaign including this one,” the statement said. “It’s unfortunate but it seems to come with the territory.”

And despite the Conservative campaign easily having the most signs placed across Provencher, he used his statement to downplay their importance while offering up some campaign talking points.

“The difference is Canada’s Conservatives aren’t focused on our signs or ourselves,” he said. “We’re focused on putting Canada and Canadians first and making life more affordable for the people of Provencher after this lost Liberal decade.”

Stealing or damaging election signs is illegal.

Those caught could be facing charges including mischief or theft under $5,000.