Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 26, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Carol Morin, a TV news broadcaster turned MLA candidate for Weledeh, said she was threatened and harassed by a truckload of hooligans outside her campaign headquarters last week.

MLA candidate Carol Morin stands in front of her billboard that has been continually defaced by vandals. - Cara Loverock/NNSL Photo

Morin said she was working alone in her office on Franklin Avenue Friday evening when a pick-up truck pulled up outside the door with four men inside.

She said the men taunted her, calling her a "pussy" and yelling "we'll give it to you" - a vulgar play of words on her campaign slogan: "I get it."

"I was worried about my personal safety," Morin said of the incident.

"It's extraordinarily disconcerting that something like that would happen to any woman. It happened to happen to me, but I'm sure these things don't happen to the male candidates."

She said although it was dark, she was able to make out the vehicle's licence plate number, which she gave to police.

Morin said she also received a phone call from a woman on her cell phone - the number is posted on the Elections NWT web site - threatening to write derogatory comments on her web site.

A number of her campaign signs have also been defaced in recent days.

She said the vandalism has been ongoing with devil horns, mustaches and sexual comments written on her campaign posters.

"I've been able to wipe it off, but apparently they're using a new marker now," said Morin, adding, "I don't know why they do this sort of thing."

She said the most frequently damaged signs are found in Ndilo and another one on the way into Old Town has been damaged beyond repair.

Morin reported the damage to the RCMP and filed a complaint about the men in the truck.

RCMP Sgt. Vic Steinhammer said the investigation of the incident "has been dealt with, it's over." He did not say whether police intend to lay any charges.

Morin said police told her yesterday that they spoke to the owner of the pick-up truck, and that the man told police the incident was meant only as a "joke," and that the group didn't mean her any harm.

Morin isn't the only candidate to complain of campaign signs being tampered with or otherwise defaced.

Sue Glowach, candidate for Yellowknife Centre, who, like Morin, chose to use a picture of herself on her signs, said vandalism has been an ongoing problem.

"This has been an ongoing issue. You know where every single sign has been taken down, so we put them back up again," said Glowach. She said her posters have been defaced and torn down in several places, specifically on Gitzel Street and near Tommy Forrest ballpark, where her billboard was knocked down. She said she doesn't think that she is a target for any specific reason and that the behaviour is somewhat to be expected in an election.

"Do I think it's because I'm a woman? I doubt it," said Glowach.

"I think that people are really involved and really interested in this election and I think feelings are running really high.

"I feel bad that some people are so frustrated that they have to take it out on a sign."

Alexander Legaree, with Elections NWT, said anyone caught vandalizing campaign materials could face up to $2,000 in fines or up to six months in prison. He said candidates are encouraged to report vandalism to the RCMP or Elections NWT.