Vandalism personal for Liberal candidate in southwest Saskatchewan

Campaign season for the federal election has only just started, but it's been more work than usual for a candidate in the Cypress Hills Grasslands riding.

Liberal candidate Marvin Wiens says he's had to deal with four separate incidents of vandalism in the past ten days. 

In one instance a window at his campaign office was shattered, in another a costly sign along the highway was destroyed, but it's the most recent case that troubles him the most, he says.

It happened Sunday night on his farmyard near Wymark, Sask., and on the adjoining property of his next door neighbour, who happens to be his daughter.

"We put signs about every 50 feet along that corridor, as well as on our neighbours' both east and west of us," Wiens said, "Sometime during Sunday night, someone vandalized the signs only on my and my daughter's frontage."

Wiens says the signs were broken and spray painted with "vulgar" images.

Most recent incident feels 'almost personal'

Because his neighbours' signs were left in tact, Wiens says this incident is "the most serious and the most personal." 

He had been the victim of vandalism three other times.

Wiens says he previously thought they were random, but Sunday's event has him thinking otherwise.

The first incident happened just after Wiens opened his campaign headquarters on Main Street in Swift Current.

He returned a couple days later to find a large window broken.  

The same weekend, Wiens says a magnetic sign was stolen off his truck.

He also says a sign at the intersection of Highway 4 and 379 was driven over.

All the incidents have been reported to police. 

"They have said this is not uncommon in political campaigns," Wiens told CBC News.

"But the last incident where they were personal and vulgar is stepping beyond just ordinary vandalism, and that's when it becomes extremely disappointing."

Wiens says while he has no idea who has committed the vandalism, he believes it is an "extreme" supporter of an opponent.

Only one opponent sign damaged

CBC contacted the other two candidates in the riding.

The office of Conservative candidate David Anderson said only one sign of his was compromised.

The NDP candidate, Trever Peterson, said none of his signs have been vandalized.

He called the vandalism of Wiens' signs "disheartening."

"I wouldn't want to see any candidate targeted in that way," he said, adding he hopes it doesn't affect his opponent's campaign. 

Wiens says the incidents shed a negative light on the area.

"It affects the riding, I think, in a negative way. It's not good news for Cypress Hills Grasslands."