Vandals have targeted Liberal supporters in at least two Toronto ridings, prompting one city councillor to take action in support of constituents who have put up an election sign on their front lawn.
Police have released surveillance photos of a suspect lurking in St. Paul's, a federal riding located in midtown Toronto, after several people came forward with complaints that their tires had been slashed Thursday night.
The cars were parked in the driveways of homes that prominently displayed red signs supporting Liberal candidate Carolyn Bennett.
In the Trinity-Spadina riding, there were also reports of vandalism to cars parked just north of College Street. Once again, the cars that were targeted were parked in front of homes that had lawn signs supporting Liberal candidate Christine Innes.
This isn't the first time Liberal voters have been targeted. During the 2008 election, several people living in the St. Paul's riding told police that someone had cut the brake lines in their vehicles. No one was seriously injured as a result of the deliberate amage.
Toronto Coun. Josh Matlow represents the St. Paul's area at the municipal level. He told CP24 Saturday morning that he will do what he can to ensure his constituents have a right to exercise their democratic rights.
He urged Liberal supporters to park their car on the street overnight, regardless of whether or not they have a parking permit. While Toronto's parking authority says they will continue to tag vehicles that are parked illegally, Matlow said his office will take care of the parking tickets.
Meanwhile Liberal candidate Innes spoke out against what she called "attempted voter intimidation." She visited residents who had their tires slashed overnight and said she was "most grateful" for their support.
"I am appalled at the increasing level of intimidation I have seen in this campaign," she said in a news release Saturday afternoon. "This is an attack on democracy. Campaigns should be about substantive issues, and that's what I will continue to focus on in this campaign."
