‘To me, it’s disgusting,’ Saskatoon candidate struggling with sign vandalism

As the federal election date of Oct. 21 nears, one candidate is struggling with vandalism on his election signs.

Mark Friesen, the Peoples Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for the Saskatoon—Grasswood riding, said he’s found signs smashed, run over and vandalized since the election season began. What’s more concerning for Friesen, is what’s been found on the vandalized signs.

PPC Saskatoon—Grasswood candidate said his signs have been defaced during the election season. (submitted/Mark Friesen)

“I had one of my volunteers send me a picture of a sign that had a swastika graffitied on it,” Friesen said. ” (Another) one of the signs said ‘nazi,’ and racist. The other sign said ‘homophobe’ and ‘racist.’ I was taken aback.”

Friesen didn’t condone the comments and said it’s “very disturbing” that people are using the language towards his party.

“To me, it’s disgusting.”

Friesen said he hasn’t been in contact with the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) in regards to the vandalism. In an email Wednesday morning, the SPS said “a charge of mischief or theft may be considered,” in these instances.

The SPS had a report of signs being stolen in the Northwest Division, but it’s still under investigation. They are asking people to report the criminal activity, if it does happen to them.

Friesen said with some education, he hopes these instances stop. If they continue, he said he will “be forced” to have discussions with the SPS.

Friesen asked people who were defacing the signs to look at their policies, and see that the PPC is not “a far-right, alt-right extremist party.” He did have a message for those who are committing the act.

“Please stop. If you want to call people names, I guess that’s your choice. But, there should be some thought going into it.”