Hamilton election signs spur complaints

Colourful lawn signs are municipal tradition, like reports of theft, damage, illegal placement

Hamilton lawns started sprouting municipal election signs a week ago — and it didn’t take long for the traditional flurry of complaints to follow.

The signs went up too early. They’re illegally placed. They’ve been stolen or damaged.

The city bylaw department, which is oversees Hamilton’s sign bylaw, has been asked to investigate 10 complaints related to election signs so far, said municipal law enforcement supervisor Lynne Shewfelt. Informal complaints, though, are far more popular on social media.

The majority, formal or not, have to do with signs allegedly erected on city property.

That’s a definite bylaw no-no, said Shewfelt — but rarely grounds for actual enforcement like orders or charges. An illegal sign is sometimes simply a mistake by an over-eager volunteer, for instance.

“Candidates generally comply through requests and via education (about) the regulations,” Shewfelt said.

Accusations of sign damage or theft are also common.

For example, Halton’s police service is investigating the theft of about a dozen Burlington Ward 2 candidate signs belonging to

Kimberly Calderbank, caught on video.

Other candidates, like Burlington mayoral hopeful Marianne Meed Ward and Hamilton Ward 8 candidate Colleen Wicken, have also reported stolen or damaged signs.

Hamilton police were unable to say late last week how many such complaints they’ve received — if any — because election sign crime is often categorized as mischief. A spokesperson said he was unable to quickly search the details of each individual mischief complaint over the last week.

A reminder of the rules for candidates — and prospective bylaw complainants:

Timing

Hamilton’s sign bylaw says election signs cannot be posted earlier than 28 days before voting day, in this case Oct. 22. There was some early confusion as residents argued online about whether some candidates got an illegal head start, but city bylaw confirmed Sept. 23 was OK by its count.

Signs must also come down no later than three days after the vote. This could be the most oftignored sign bylaw rule in history.

Location

The rule is pretty simple: signs must be on private property. (Yes, that can include multiplexes, retirement or lodging homes or even a shelter.)

So, no, candidates cannot put signs on the city right-of-way in front of your yard without your permission. Feel free to call the bylaw department if a campaign volunteer insists otherwise.

A number of irritated residents have posted photos online of candidate signs in front of city cemeteries, on road allowances and cosying up to fire hydrants. These locations are off-limits.

There has also been public criticism of signs posted on a construction hoarding, vacant buildings or yet-to-be developed lots. But if the property owner grants permission, that sign is fine.

Size

The maximum “sign area” your sign can cover is 1.5-metressquare — unless you want to apply for a building permit. Electronic election signs are also not allowed, interestingly.

Content

Ontario’s rules for municipal elections state a candidate must be visibly identified as responsible for a campaign sign or advertising. Otherwise, the message on a sign is not policed by the city or law enforcement unless, for example, it is alleged to represent a threat or hate crime.