A number of Provincial Liberal candidate signs have been slashed in Cobourg’s east end over the last few days.
The signs belonging to Northumberland-Peterborough South Liberal candidate Dorothy Noronha were found slashed on King Street East and Carroll Crescent in Cobourg’s east end.
Noronha commented that it’s been a challenging campaign with the weather, but specific targetted attacks on our signs literally cut deep,” she stated to Today’s Northumberland.
“Our volunteers are dedicated, hardworking, and resourceful. They believe in improving healthcare, education, and affordability for all Ontarians. They believe in ME and my ability to be an MPP who truly believes in public service over personal gain. When hours of work have gone into digging through snow and drilling through ice to pound expensive large signs into the frozen ground – to see them slashed and destroyed in a matter of seconds is like punch in the stomach.”
“What makes someone that angry against a party and a person that just want to make life better and more affordable for regular people?”
Noronha said, “thankfully, my volunteers and supporters are just like me – we’re ready to fight for
EVERYONE in Northumberland – Peterborough South, because we’re not fine until we’re ALL fine.”
During the last Provincial election, Liberal signs were also slashed in a similar fashion.
Reaching out to Cobourg Police for comment they stated that removing, damaging or vandalizing election signs is a criminal offence.
Any act of mischief or theft committed in relation to election signs is a criminal offence.
People found committing such offences can face charges under the Criminal Code.
The Canada Elections Act also prohibits people from interfering with the transmission of election advertising messages without proper authority.
In most cases, election signs are posted on private property. Any person entering onto private property to attempt to commit an illegal act in relation to election signs is also guilty of trespassing and could be charged under the Trespass to Property Act.
A reminder that tampering with election signs could result in criminal charges. If residents find that an election sign has been placed on their property without their permission, they should immediately contact the candidate’s office to have it removed.
If you see anyone tampering with election signs, please report to police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by phone by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or online by visiting stopcrimehere.ca.
Vandalized Election Signs in Port Hope, Cobourg and Brighton
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
