Vandals have defaced an election campaign sign belonging to Conservative Party candidate Nathalie Vautour near the on ramp to the Transcanada Highway at exit 504 in Sackville.
Someone spraypainted derogatory words on the the large billboard style sign featuring images of the Beauséjour candidate and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Two Liberal campaign signs beside the vandalized Conservative sign were left untouched, as was a second Conservative sign near the other, Moncton-bound on-ramp.
Media reports show that election sign vandalism is happening across the country, and targeting all parties.
A number of local leaders spoke out against the vandalism on social media, including Tantramar councillor Josh Goguen, who said his initial reaction to seeing the vandalism was one of shock.
“Even though you don’t agree with certain policies that a political party [has], it’s not right to deface their property,” says Goguen.
Corporal Andrew Paynter of the Sackville RCMP says the detachment has not received any reports about the vandalism to date, but the vandalism is considered mischief by police.
Complaints of vandalized or destroyed election signs can also be filed with the Commissioner of Canada Elections, which is responsible for investigating offences under the Canada Elections Act.
Goguen says he’s noticed a heightened level of vitriol online during this election cycle. Politics in the United States have “brought a bit more negativity into the whole area,” says Goguen. “You’re seeing post after post that people are, you know, going after this political party or another one… Everybody wants to get a word in, and it just becomes a huge fight.”
Goguen says he hopes everyone will respect the property of candidates going forward. “If you don’t agree with their their policies, just go vote,” says Goguen. “That’s the best way to change things and hopefully make it for the better.”
