Come election time it seems as there’s always someone in every community who doesn’t value democracy or freedom of expression.

That’s certainly the case in Kootenay Columbia riding where Conservative Party of Canada signs promoting MP Jim Abbott, which had been on public property in several communities, have been torn down by vandals since the election was called on Sept. 7.

The individuals responsible for this vandalism may delude themselves into thinking that they are somehow expressing themselves politically, but in reality they are spitting on the graves of all those people who struggled through history to achieve the freedoms we enjoy in Canada today.

This kind of activity is anti-democratic in the extreme. It is also against the law.

Section 262 of the Canada Elections Act states that it is an offence to take down, remove, cover up, mutilate, deface or alter any printed advertisement, placard, poster or banner having reference to the election of a candidate without authority. If these vandals are caught they could face fines of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to five years.

Signs cannot be posted on private property without the consent of the property owner, but a 1993 Supreme Court of Canada decision permits signs to be erected on public property. Nonetheless, Elections Canada urges all political parties to consult with the relevant municipal, provincial and federal agencies before erecting signs on public or Crown land.

Information about the destruction of any political party’s signs should be reported to the RCMP.

The Conservative Party of Canada Riding Association for Kootenay Columbia urges everyone to respect the rights of all parties and candidates during this election campaign.