(Wingham, North Huron) Political signs belonging to local municipal election candidates have reportedly been deliberately damaged or defaced, with one candidate having several signs targeted and another reporting at least one damaged sign.
The Free Press is deliberately withholding the candidates’ names and locations to avoid encouraging further vandalism.
Regardless of whose name is on the sign, keep your hands off it.
You don’t have to like a candidate. You don’t have to agree with them. You don’t even have to respect their opinions. But damaging someone else’s property isn’t political debate — it is a crime.
Section 430 of Canada’s Criminal Code provides that a person commits mischief by wilfully destroying or damaging property or interfering with its lawful use. For ordinary property valued at $5,000 or less, mischief prosecuted by indictment carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment. For property exceeding $5,000, the indictable maximum is 10 years.
Ontario’s 2026 municipal-election guidance also recognizes election signs as legitimate campaign advertising, subject to municipal rules governing where and when they may be displayed.
What it unquestionably represents, however, is disrespect for somebody else’s property and for the democratic process.
Democracy means defeating ideas with better ideas — not sneaking around damaging signs.
If you hate a candidate, vote against them. Campaign against them. Challenge their positions. Put up your own lawful sign.
But destroying somebody else’s?
That’s not democracy.
That’s vandalism — and potentially criminal mischief.