Sudbury man, 18, charged after vandalism at Fred Slade's campaign office

The Conservative candidate in the Sudbury riding says he won't let vandalism at his campaign office knock him off track after someone took white paint and covered the windows with the words "die" and "burn."

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The graffiti, which appeared over the weekend, has since been washed away, Fred Slade said, and he is considering beefing up security at the office.

"I was a little upset and disturbed because it's far more than harmless vandalism," he told CBC News.

"It was a direct attack on our campaign and our campaign office."

Sudbury police report an 18-year-old man has been charged with criminal harassment and mischief under $5,000 in connection with the vandalism. The accused already faces a break and enter charge from an unrelated incident.

Other candidates in the Sudbury riding were quick to come to Slade's support.

Liberal hopeful Paul Lefebvre tweeted out a photo of the damage saying Slade deserved better.

"You have somebody that has put his name forward to represent our community. When somebody vandalises their office it's just a very sad day and it's embarrassing at the same time," he said.

Slade says he won't let the incident get in the way of the final days of the campaign, noting that "those opposed to the Conservative message should not resort to this type of hostility."

"We've got a job to do and we're not going to let this unfortunate incident knock us off track," he said.

"I've been very, very pleased to see the support that I've received through social media right across the community and beyond."

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