HURON COUNTY – Huron County OPP is investigating two recent incidents where political party election signs were vandalized.
A number of election signs were found damaged off of Harriston Road near Gorrie. The signs were set up by volunteers on Aug. 21 and were damaged sometime overnight.
Huron OPP received a report on Aug. 24 about a number of election signs that were damaged off of Highway 21 near Amberley.
Police are reminding the public that it is a criminal offence to remove or damage official election signs on public property. People found damaging or removing signs can face charges of mischief under the Criminal Code. Further, according to the Canada Elections Act, “No person shall prevent or impair the transmission to the public of an election advertising message without the consent of a person with authority to authorize its transmission.”
It is also an offence under the Trespass to Property Act to enter onto private property without colour of right.
Police say if a sign has been placed on your private property without your permission you may remove the sign. You may wish to contact the candidate or registered party whose sign it is to tell them you did not request the sign and ask them to remove it.
If you are not sure whether the sign is on private or public property, check with your municipality or other government agency.
To make a complaint or allegation of wrongdoing about election signs displayed during a federal election, please write to the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections.
Huron OPP ask anyone with any information on these mischiefs to contact police at 1-888-310-1122 or 519-482-1677.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
