Reports of election vandalism have reached the Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock constituency, as the NDP campaign reports that about 300 signs have been stolen or damaged during the campaign.
Campaign manager Courtney Wentzell said they have reported the incident to Elections Alberta, and that they are looking into it.
Rochester-area resident and campaign volunteer George Ellen said the vast majority of the campaign signs have simply vanished.
“Some were pulled out and thrown into the bush, while others were simply driven-over by off-highway vehicles,” Ellen said. “We have lost all 30 of the signs we placed in Westlock, along with all 20 in Newbrook and every sign we had in the Waskatenau area. Even in Smoky Lake, most of the signs have disappeared.”
He said that the campaign has not seen any signs disappear out of the Athabasca area as of yet.
“We are keeping a watchful eye out at this time, and we ask people to notice any type of vandalism to report it to the police,” Ellen said. “We have contacted the RCMP detachments in Boyle, Barrhead, Westlock and Redwater to lodge complaints about the missing signs.”
At this time, Ellen said it appears to be a well-organized effort.
“The signs are a representation of the financial costs to run an election campaign,” he said.
“The money to pay for these comes from the pockets of volunteers and supporters, and they are an essential part of any election campaign,” Ellen said.
Outgoing Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette recalled some similar incidents from the 2015 election campaign.
“We had a few issues in Thorhild County and a bit in Smoky Lake,” Piquette said. “But it was not as bad as in this election campaign. It’s definitely worse this time out.”
Jeff Johnson, his Progressive Conservative opponent in 2015, said it happened to him during the campaign, as well.
“It happens a lot during every campaign,” Johnson said. “Any person who has run in an election campaign in the past can tell you about some past experiences with this type of behaviour. It’s not appropriate, but it happens.”
Current UCP candidate Glenn van Dijken said it’s disappointing to hear that any number of campaign signs from any group goes missing.
“I was in Smoky Lake March 28 when I heard about this type of behaviour,” van Dijken said. “While the UCP campaign welcomes discussion during an election campaign, we do not condone vandalism. It’s very discouraging, and it’s also a criminal offence.”
van Dijken said he has had to replace some signs, but not any more than normal so far during this campaign.
“We have not had to make any complaints to the authorities as of yet,” he said.
Boyle RCMP could not be reached for a response before publication deadlines.
