Huron County OPP are investigating two separate acts of vandalism to election signs in the riding of Huron-Bruce.
Police say a number of signs were found damaged off of Harriston Road near Gorrie. OPP say the signs were set up by volunteers on August 21st and were damaged sometime overnight.
Huron OPP say they also received a report yesterday about a number of election signs that were damaged off of Highway 21 near Amberley.
OPP are reminding the public it is a criminal offence to remove or damage official election signs on public property.
They say people found damaging or removing signs can face charges of Mischief under the Criminal Code. OPP say, 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.”
Police say, it is also an offence under the Trespass to Property Act to enter onto private property without colour of right. (An honest belief in a claim to the property).
They note, if a sign has been placed on your private property without your permission you may remove the sign or you may 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.
OPP say, 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, you can write to the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections.
Huron OPP say anyone with information on these particular acts of mischief should contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 482-1677 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com