A message soaked in kerosene: Candidates vow they won’t be intimidated after sign tampering
Candidates for council seats in London, Ont. are vowing they won’t be intimidated after another spate of sign-tampering on the campaign trail.
“This isn’t about my campaign,” says mayoral candidate Josh Morgan.
He adds, “Every single candidate in the city has seen sign damage, and the aggressiveness of the sign damage in this campaign though I think is really new.”
His comments come as campaign workers discovered two large four-by-eight foot signs in two separate locations — White Oaks and Pond Mills — had been set on fire. One of the signs was still dripping with an accelerant, believed to be kerosene, Morgan explains.
“And no wonder people don’t want to run for office, and for a new candidate to see this sort of thing, this is the type of thing that pushes people away,” he adds.
A damaged election sign for Ward 9 candidate Baqar Khan is seen in London, Ont. on Oct. 5, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
Meantime, it happened once and Baqar Khan didn’t think anything of it. Then it happened again, and again, and again. Soon, three election signs had been stolen and two destroyed.
The Ward 9 hopeful didn’t want to believe it, but he had to admit to himself that something was amiss.
“When I came it was completely broken like this,” he says, pointing to a broken sign on the ground at the corner of Westdel Bourne Road and Kains Road. “All of the other signs were intact, I don’t know who’s doing this.”
The first-time candidate says it’s not how he wanted to get his name known.
“Okay, I have lots of other signs, I can place one more over here. But the thing is, these tactics don’t stop me from running. This is my right. I’m a Canadian citizen. I want to run for my ward.” He adds.
London, Ont. mayoral candidate Josh Morgan is seen in front of election signs on Oct. 5, 2022 ahead of London's municipal election. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
Ward 12 incumbent Elizabeth Peloza also previously said an election sign she had at the corner of Wellington and Southdale roads was set on fire and destroyed beyond use.
Stealing or damaging signs is a criminal offence. The charges include mischief or theft, and depending on the nature of the damage, it could also be considered a hate crime.
“If I actually had a message for other candidates who are experiencing this type of damage, it’s ‘stick with it,’ especially new candidates,” says Morgan, a council veteran. “Don’t let this deter you from engaging with voters and going out there, and making your voice heard.”
Representatives from mayoral candidate Khalil Ramal’s office say his signs have been getting vandalized, broken and painted.
They said in an email to CTV News one large 8’ by 4’ sign was burned at Commissioners with Pond Mills just two days ago.
“Three signs broken and teared off and painted at Fanshaw with Clarke Road last week,” the email said.
Representatives say signs have been vandalized and stolen from over 50 locations in the city.
— With files from CTV News London's Kristylee Varley
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.