As a long and contentious byelection campaign wraps up, Burnaby South residents are complaining about campaign signs cropping up where they’re not allowed.
A City of Burnaby bylaw only allows campaign signs on private property with the owner’s consent.
Warren Mirko, who managed Liberal candidate Adam Pankaratz’s 2015 campaign in the riding, said he’s seen People’s Party of Canada (PPC) signs on public property throughout the riding.
“Being familiar with the city's bylaws and where political parties can place signs, I quickly noticed the PPC has decided to place signs in high-visibility areas that I'm sure all parties would enjoy access (to), but this is of course not allowed,” he wrote in an email.
Mirko said he saw PPC signs along Willingdon Avenue, Canada Way, Kingsway, Imperial Street and Marine Drive.
Gurmant Grewal, the campaign manager for PPC candidate Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson, said he did not instruct people to place the signs on public property.
“This campaign did not authorize anyone to put our signs (on) public property,” Grewal wrote in a text message. “We are aware of the City of Burnaby’s sign bylaw and have advised the enthusiastic volunteers accordingly.”
The City of Burnaby did not respond to a request for comment about possible bylaw infractions and enforcement.
In response to complaints about PPC signs, the city’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Thank you for sharing the multiple signs you have seen. The photos and locations have been sent to our staff who have been out this past weekend removing signs in contravention of the bylaw.”
