Election sign breaks bylaws

Photo: Wayne Moore

The BC Conservative candidate in Kelowna-Mission is eager to get his campaign started.

In doing so, Chuck Hardy is in contravention of the City of Kelowna sign bylaw.

At least one sign was noticed Friday morning at the corner of Gordon Drive and DeHart Road in the Mission.

It's unclear if other signs have been placed.

Kelowna city clerk Stephen Fleming said the city just updated its sign bylaw in anticipation of the provincial election.

Section 4.1.2 of the city's sign bylaw states:

"Election signs for the purposes of a federal or provincial election are permitted only within the respective election period, beginning with the dropping of the writ and ending following general voting on election day."

The writ will be dropped April 11, meaning signs are not permitted to be placed anywhere within city boundaries until then.

As with most bylaws, the city seeks compliance first, before issuing a ticket.

Fleming said if compliance is not forthcoming, the city has the right to remove the signs themselves.

When contacted by Castanet, Hardy said he was unaware of the bylaw, but said he would remove them.