Campaign signs placed near the Cameron Street Bridge, a location banned under current City of Prince George Bylaws

By Caden Fanshaw

ELECTION 2021

Why here, and not there? Rules on where election campaign signs can go in Prince George

Sep 17, 2021 | 6:41 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As election day approaches, you may have noticed the rainbow of signs next to city streets, intersections, and in other areas within city limits.

There is a reason why election signs are placed where they are, after all there are only 14 areas within city limits excluding provincial highways where signs can be placed.

Even in those 14 areas, there are specific zones where signs are allowed.

Prince George city council passed the bylaw back in 2017 restricting the areas where election signs can be placed.

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Violations can be handed out if candidates don’t follow the rules including a fine of up to $100 per sign.

The City of Prince George Bylaw Services Manager Charlotte Peters says fines are typically complaint-driven.

Several People’s Party of Canada signs were found on Friday in locations along Foothills Boulevard where election signs are banned under the bylaw.

Other parties also placed signs on the north side of the Cameron Street Bridge where election signs are also banned under the current bylaw.

As of Friday afternoon, the city says they had received at least 10 calls regarding the misplacement of election signs.

CNC Political Science Instructor Chris Beach says signs can be an important part of campaigns although there is a lot more to running for office than just signs alongside the road.

Beach noted that in Cariboo-Prince George the incumbent and leading candidate Todd Doherty has fewer signs than some of his competitors, although given his track record more signs might not be needed to win the riding.

Election signs must be taken down within three days of the completion of the election period.

You can read the full bylaw here.