Large numbers of election campaign signs have been stolen or vandalized the riding of in North Island-Powell River.

“Two dozen Liberal signs were either knocked over, stolen, or vandalized over 3 days of putting them up in Campbell River and Comox," Liberal Campaign Manager David Somerville reported.

The NDP reported that there's been more damage and theft of signs compared to past election seasons.

“Our campaign has definitely experienced more damaged and stolen signs this year than in previous campaigns,” emailed Rachel Blaney, the NDP candidate and incumbent MP for this riding. “It's disappointing and disrespectful to the volunteers who put their time and effort into putting up signs at election time, and to our democratic process. Politics can be divisive, but these signs, are the expressions of our neighbours. After the election we all need to live and work together. We need to be better than this.”

In a press release, Liberal candidate Jennifer Grenz added that people have also been yelling at the campaign volunteers replacing signs.

Uprooted LIberal campaign signs. Photo courtesy of Liberal campaign office North Island -Powell River.

Over the weekend, CKTZ News also reached out to the Conservative and Green and Marxist Leninist parties, to see how their campaigns were affected.   

As of Sunday morning, when this story was filed, the only other response came from the Marxist Leninist Party of Canada.

“We don't have signs, so we are not directly affected. I'm opposed to damage, destruction or theft of political signs at any time,” wrote Carla Neale, candidate for North Island-Powell River.

Candidates are asking voters to report any acts of theft or vandalism that they witness.

“If you see any vandalism or theft, we ask that you collect any evidence you can and report it to the RCMP,” said Grenz. “We have already filed a report with the local police who are taking this matter seriously.

Dr. Jennifer Grenz with campaign sign. Photo courtesy  of the Liberal Party of Canada