Lethbridge city council defers motion to limit election signs on public road right-of-ways
Lethbridge city council admitted there are issues with election signs, but stopped short of rules prohibiting them during a meeting on Tuesday.
“This is not saying there will be no signs, this is saying because we've had such issues with sign on public land, that we're saying restricted to private land,” said Coun. Belinda Crowson.
A motion brought forward by Councillors Crowson and Jeff Carlson is directing the city manager to amend the guidelines to prohibit the installation of election signs within the public road right-of-way.
Carlson says it'll also decrease the number of illegally placed signs.
“A phone call is made to the city, the city – when they have time – goes out to remove them, then has to store them,” Carlson explained. “Then the candidate (can) come and retrieve them and often they go right back to where they were and the process starts all over again.
“It's a huge waste of time and money.”
Currently, the city has sign guidelines, which are designed to maintain the safety for citizens using the right of way, protect and maintain the life of public infrastructure within the right-of-way and to clean up visual clutter.
“I could share with you the several literature reviews that I’ve read, what they show is that signs only have a one to two per cent of changing a voter’s mind – it is incredibly small,” Crowson said. “The research doesn't show if that is on public or private property.”
During a question period, Coun. Jenn Schmidt-Rempel asked the city manager whether additional funding or support would be given so that candidates have other options to get their names out to the public. City clerk Bonnie Hilford said the city introduced new videos during the 2021 election and that outside organizations hold forums for candidates.
In the 2021 general election, 39 candidates run for council and six ran for mayor, while 23 ran for school trustee positions.
Crowson says the motion she brought forward would still allow signs to be placed on private property and electronically.
“I have had both private and public conversations with several people running in the upcoming election and they see the value of signs on private property because that shows what sort of support you have,” Crowson said.
The motion would cover all municipal, provincial, and federal elections, however, Coun. Rajko Dodic voiced concern that those running in the upcoming provincial election may have already purchased signs to be placed around the city.
Council voted 5-4 to refer the motion April 27 governance standing policy committee for further discussion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.