Cambridge candidate says election sign damage at whole new level

This isn’t Bryan May’s first rodeo.

The Liberal incumbent MP for Cambridge has run five campaigns at this point, and he’s dealt with election sign tampering or theft before. In fact, in the 2015 campaign, he said over 150 signs were stolen in one night. They were found months later after being dumped in the Grand River and floating downstream to Paris.

But, the number of thefts and the aggression of the vandalism this time around are something he’s never seen before.

“What seems to be new is the volume and the hate that is associated with it,” said May. He went on to tell 570 NewsRadio that he’s hearing from supporters who are very concerned.

“We are starting to get calls, quite a few actually, from people who have taken signs and identified that their signs are gone or have been vandalized, and we offer to come out and replace them, but they say: You know what? I’m going to vote for you, I support you, but I’m not going to take a replacement sign.”

He said that is very problematic to hear.

“The message we’re getting from people is it’s not about the vandalism, it’s not even about the thefts. It’s about the intimidation of what’s happening. People are realizing people are coming onto their property and doing this. It’s essentially voter suppression. That’s what the outcome is.”

May said that while he has an idea who the vandals might be supporting, he believes those individuals don’t speak for everyone.

“I want to reiterate that I don’t believe this is a large group of supporters from any party,” he said, adding, “I’ve talked to people on all ends of the political spectrum who are not happy with what they are seeing.”

May said he was a supporter of the region’s move to ban election signs from roadways under its purview. He said he’d like to see the signs banned on all municipal properties. He said if people want to put one on their private property, they should go ahead and do so, but it’s time to rethink the process.

He points to the time and money invested in putting out and maintaining election signs, along with the massive amounts of waste they produce, as reasons why a municipal ban should be considered.

In a statement to 570 NewsRadio, Waterloo Regional Police said:

“We have had some reports of damage to election signs throughout the region. Waterloo Regional Police are investigating an attempted theft of an election sign in Cambridge involving a vehicle. Police would like to remind the public that Mischief under $5,000 may apply when someone damages, destroys, or defaces an election sign. Theft under $5,000 may apply when someone steals an election sign, as they are considered personal property under the Criminal Code. Waterloo Regional Police encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity involving election signs at the time of the incident.”

570 NewsRadio reached out to Conservative candidate, Connie Cody, for comment. The request had gone unanswered by the time of publication.

Advanced polls open Friday, April 18, until Monday, April 21, 2025.

Federal Election Day is April 28, 2025.