Nathan Cullen, MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley in B.C., reported the arson incident to the RCMP. (Submitted by Bob Haslett)

The political firestorm in Parliament likely led to the burning of a constituency billboard in northern B.C., New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen said Wednesday.

Gasoline was used to burn the aluminum roadside sign outside Smithers some time overnight Tuesday, said Cullen, the MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley.

Cullen said the action was clearly a "sign of protest and intimidation" following the proposed coalition between the federal NDP and the Liberal party.

Cullen has also received "intimidating e-mails and phone calls," all defending the Conservatives and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

'I think everyone needs to take a step back and calm down. I think the government needs to tone down their rhetoric.'— Nathan Cullen, NDP MP in B.C.

"'How dare you challenge Mr. Harper?' has been the general tone," Cullen told CBC News.

"I don't assume that the prime minister condones any of this, but certainly these are people that are caught up in the emotion of this moment."

Cullen said he believes what has been happening in Ottawa, causing uncertainty in all Canadians, prompted the arson incident.

"It [the aluminum sign] is quite large and very hard to burn, so they must have used an extraordinary amount of fuel and determination to show their violence," He said.

Cullen has reported the incident to Smithers RCMP, who are investigating. He intends to replace the sign and calls the people who did it "thugs and bullies."

He blamed the Conservatives' "desperation to hold on to their government and their jobs" for triggering unnecessary anger and fear in Canadians.

"I think everyone needs to take a step back and calm down. I think the government needs to tone down their rhetoric," he said. "And just coming from question period today, though, I don't see it happening."

Smithers RCMP spokesman Sgt. Ray Haugen said an accelerant was used to burn the sign.

"The Smithers RCMP are asking for the public's assistance regarding this incident," Haugen said in a news release Wednesday.

"The sign is readily visible from Highway 16. If anyone observed any vehicles stopped in that vicinity on Dec. 2, 2008, around 11:30 p.m., they are asked to call the Smithers detachment."