Independent Calgary candidate ordered to alter 'Conservative' signs

An Independent candidate whosecampaign materialraised the ire ofthe federal Conservativeparty has lost his fight in a Calgary courtroom.

Justice Sheila Martin granted an injunction Tuesday, givingIndependent Roger Richard five daysto stop using his currentcampaign brochures and to alter his signs.

The injunctionproves that political parties do have distinct identities that they can legally protect, said Don Plett, president of the Conservative Party of Canada.

"If people can run campaigns literally saying they are supportive of a leader and a party when they are running against that party, it could have implications across the country. SoI think a precedent has been set for all political parties, not just for the Conservative Party of Canada."

Richard's signs arepostedthroughoutthe Calgary Northeast riding, where he says he is running as the "alternative choice conservative candidate."

The signs use the same shade of blue, similar white lettering and a red banner in the top left-hand corner. They have the word "Conservative" printed on them,along withthe word "independent" in smaller lettering.

Richard is a supporter of the Conservative leader, with numerous pictures of Stephen Harper in his campaign office. Some of Richard's pamphlets also say a vote for Richard is a vote for Harper.

Richardsaid Tuesday he will put stickers on his signs making it clear that he is not connected to the federal party.

"Our intention has never been to mislead. It's to give the people a conservative choice of candidate in the riding."

On Thursday, a Calgary justice barred Richard from raising any new signs or handing out campaign literature until a decision was made on the injunction.

The Conservative candidate running in the longtime Conservative stronghold is Devinder Shory. Also running in the riding are Green candidate Abeed Ahmad, Liberal Sanam Kang, Independent Daniel Blanchard and the NDP's Vinay Dey.