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Illegally stationed signs, vandalism and sign placement are concerns in the electoral race for mayor of Mississauga.
The city has a whole host of rules and regulations designed to keep a lid on illegal behaviour. Financial penalties are also part of the overall enforcement effort.
“City staff will review each report of an illegal sign,” the city posted on its website. “If a sign does not follow the by-law, the city may remove it and may take further enforcement action, including laying charges under the Provincial Offences Act. City crews are also proactively patrolling the city and will remove illegally placed signs.”
Mayor Carolyn Parrish posted a short video on her Facebook site, showing an individual allegedly stealing one of her signs. The video was dated Oct. 14.
“Vandalizing billboards and taking campaign signs won’t silence me or shake my commitment to Mississauga,” she said on Facebook. “I’ve faced tougher challenges than this Let’s keep this election about respect, ideas and the future of our city.”
Overall, Mississauga placed eight limitations on the legality of signage. Some of them include elections signs cannot be placed on public property; on traffic signs or other official signs; where they block sightlines at an intersection; where they block the view of drivers or pedestrians and within 50 metres of a polling station.
“These rules help keep roads, sidewalks and public spaces safe,” the city said. ‘They also help prevent visibility problems and other hazards.”
Mayoral candidate Alvin Tedjo said his signs have been stolen and vandalized.
A spokesperson for Tedjo told CityNews several incidents having occurred on the campaign trail.
“Some of our volunteers have reported being followed by supporters of opposing campaigns while canvassing neighbourhoods,” Kris Pangilinan said. “We have also seen paid protesters at campaign events.”
Attack with a knife
Tedjo also reported an incident that happened earlier this month.
In an Oct. 6 post on his X account, the candidate said a volunteer from his team was “confronted by a stranger and attacked with a knife while installing election signs.” “Thankfully, our volunteer only suffered non-life-threatening injuries.”
Candidate Dipika Damerla said some of her signs have been taken down or defaced.
“It is hard to say who is doing this, but it appears to be happening to every candidate,” Damerla told CityNews.
And former mayor Bonnie Crombie said her team works hard at obeying the rules.
City officials say residents should not move or remove signs on public property, but report it to the city instead. However, property owners may remove signs placed on their property without permission.
“Staff will review each report of an illegal sign,” the city wrote. “If a sign does not follow the by-law, the city may remove it and may take further enforcement action.”
There are 14 candidates running for mayor. A full list can be found on the city’s website.
ganderson@postmedia.com