Halifax candidates speak out against sign vandalism

It's an expensive part of every election campaign: signs are removed or vandalized.

For Halifax Conservative candidate Irvine Carvery, the damage almost started immediately after he started putting signs up. So far, 15 of his signs have disappeared or have been damaged.

Carvery says it costs $5 to replace smaller lawn signs and $7.50 to replace larger ones.

"If they don't agree with our party's position, if they don't agree with our political stance, that's fine.Show your dissatisfaction at the ballot box, but please leave my signs alone," said Carvery.

"I'm running [on] a shoe string budget for this election campaign."

Carvery is not alone.Andy Fillmore, Halifax'sLiberal candidate,says the same is happening to his campaign. One damaged signhad the words "Don't vote" above his name.

"Homeowners find it quite unsettling. Itmakes them feel, I think, vulnerable and perhaps less willing to participate in the democratic process," said Fillmore.

"People feel unsafe when their yard is being invaded and things are being damaged on it."

Halifax NDP candidate Megan Leslie's team says it happens every election.Paulette Sadoway is responsible for distributing her signs around the city and says more than 100 Megan Leslie signs have been stolen or destroyed. Shehas a message for vandals.

"Come in and volunteer to put up a bunch of signs and then you'll appreciate what it's like to be on the other side of doing that work," said Sadoway.

Halifax Green candidate Thomas Trappenberg says his election signs are still up and damage-free.

Tampering with elections signs is illegal and offenders could face mischief charges ifcaught.