Lethbridge-West UCP candidate Cheryl Seaborn (left) and Lethbridge-West NDP candidate Shannon Phillips (right). (Photos: Lethbridge News Now and Alberta NDP)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge candidates speak out against election sign vandalism

May 8, 2023 | 5:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – There have been numerous reports of election signs being vandalized or destroyed across Lethbridge.

The campaign for the 2023 Alberta provincial election officially kicked off on May 1, and volunteers across several political parties have been hard at work hanging up signs for their candidates.

Lethbridge-West United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate Cheryl Seaborn posted to her Facebook page on Saturday, May 6, saying that there have been incidents of vandalism targeting the signs of multiple political candidates.

She told Lethbridge News Now that she is aware of damaged or vandalized signs for her campaign and those of Lethbridge’s New Democratic Party (NDP) candidates Shannon Phillips and Rob Miyashiro.

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“Our signs for the UCP have been getting run over,” said Seaborn. “Removed this morning, we had someone call and say, ‘Can I get a new sign? Somebody took mine and put it in my garbage can and put garbage on top of it so I can’t even reuse it.'”

Several other signs have reportedly been defaced with spray paint.

Seaborn is asking members of the public to stop with this type of behaviour.

“We need to have a more respectful and dignified way of communicating with one another and being respectful of that,” said Seaborn. “That’s part of democracy, is having different belief systems and ideologies and thoughts about things and opinions, and yes, being passionate about it, but not passionate and then also destructive.”

Keith McLaughlin, campaign manager for the Lethbridge West and East NDP candidates, said the vandalisms could partly be in response to how much support the NDP has been receiving.

“Between our two campaigns, we’ve had over 2,600 households request a lawn sign to show that they support Rachel Notley and her plan for a better future for Alberta,” said McLaughlin. “With that many signs, vandalism is bound to occur, but our hardworking volunteers simply repair or replace the signs.”

At this time, the Lethbridge Police Service said it has not received any reports of damage or vandalism to election signs.

General voting day is May 29, 2023.

READ MORE: Alberta Votes 2023