Election-related vandalism reports emerge in Toronto

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Residents in a central Toronto riding are reporting another spate of vandalism believed to be politically motivated.

Lynne Steele, campaign manager for Liberal candidate Carolyn Bennett, says residents in Bennett's riding of St. Paul's told her vandals stole more election signs from their lawns Friday night.

Steele says others reported their car tires were slashed that night, despite a "massive" police presence in the area.

Toronto police are investigating earlier incidents involving 16 vehicles in the riding Thursday night — some had tires slashed, others their paint scratched.

Staff Sergeant Michael McGhee would not confirm reports the vehicles were parked on properties displaying signs supporting Bennett in the May 2 federal election.

Toronto Centre Liberal candidate Bob Rae said on Twitter that one of his tires had been slashed. Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press

He would only say that police are seeking information about a person described as a white male, wearing a dark leather jacket and a white baseball cap.

But Steele said Saturday the victims are "all Bennett supporters."

"They all have signs on their lawns," she said. "I don't think there's anything random about this."

Steele added that some residents also reported having an "L" scratched into the paint of their vehicles.

St. Paul's Conservative candidate Maureen Harquail is deploring such action.

The vandalism is said to have prompted some anxious residents to remove their campaign signage.

Josh Matlow, the City Councillor for St. Paul's, responded to the incident by offering residents a parking option that he hoped would protect vehicles from possible campaign-related damage.

He issued an email Friday night telling residents that until election day they could park on the street overnight, even if they did not have the permits to do so.

The wave of vandalism may be an ugly case of deja vu. Liberal-marked homes in both St. Paul's and Toronto's Parkdale-High Park riding were hit by vandalism during the 2008 federal election campaign.

There were also reports that Liberal supporters in the riding of Trinity-Spadina had their tires slashed. NDP candidate Olivia Chow condemned the attacks.

"The defacing and slashing of our election signs, and the reported slashing of tires in Trinity-Spadina, are an affront to the democratic process and freedom of expression," Chow said in a statement. "I urge everyone to be proud of our diverse political opinions, respect those of others, and reject the politics of intimidation."

© The Canadian Press, 2011

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