Ottawa municipal candidates decry political interference
In the ramp up to the final week of Ottawa’s municipal election race, some council candidates say they have had issues with campaign material being defaced, removed, or even stolen.
In a now viral video, taken in late September, Barrhaven-West candidate Taayo Simmonds accused fellow candidate David Hill of removing his campaign materials from a residential mailbox and replacing them with Hill’s own.
Hill later apologized for his actions, calling them a "lapse in judgement."
In the wake of that video, other candidates are speaking up about their own experiences.
Knoxdale-Merivale ward candidate Michael Wood posted a Twitter video Friday that appears to show a man removing a lawn sign supporting Wood from a property.
"It’s disheartening to me knowing the people that have supported me, the money that’s been spent, and seeing the signs ripped up," Wood said.
In Kanata South, Erin Coffin says she’s had election signs repeatedly removed from certain streets, and even had signs stolen from her volunteers.
"We’ve had a volunteer, my dad, have signs taken out of his car while he was out putting signs out for us," Coffin said.
Municipal experts say it's part of a trend of growing political division that is seeping through politics and is now prevalent at the municipal level.
"We’ll see if there’s a bit of a reset with the new term of council because over the past year and even three to four years there have been some deep divisions that have developed really since the last election," Jon Willing, a municipal affairs commentator said.
In September, Ottawa police said they had received 14 reports of mischief or theft of election signs.
Interfering with or damaging election signs is an offence under the criminal code and charges can include mischief to property.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.