An NDP candidate campaigning to unseat the prime minister, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, has found a way to steal some of the spotlight in the Calgary Heritage riding.
Instead of using typical campaign signs to get his name in the public eye, NDP hopeful Matt Masters Burgener is letting constituents there, and Canadians throughout the country, send Harper their own message.
For a $50 donation, individuals can put a on a campaign-style sign.
"One of the big complaints about Mr. Harper is: his door is always closed," Masters Burgener told CTV Calgary. "…We came up with a way where Canadians and Calgarians can have their message to Harper heard."
After making a donation, the custom sign is placed next to one of Harper's signs in the Calgary riding. The donor then receives a photo of the sign from the NDP campaign.
But, as one Conservative supporter has learned, the NDP campaign isn't too interested in printing pro-Harper messages on the signs.
Conservative supporter denied sign
James Montgomery said he made his $50 donation and requested the message: "Let's make it four in a row, go Harper!"
The Manitoba resident said he never received a photo of his sign, and eventually he was refunded his $50 donation.
"It wasn't in harmony with their anti-Harper campaign," Montgomery said. "They said they would post positive messages, as long as it wasn't discriminatory, inflammatory or profane, and mine was none of the above."
Masters Burgener said the rules regarding the custom signs are clear.
"Fifty characters, you have to keep it family friendly, and we reserve the right to reject any message," he said.
The first 200 custom campaign signs quickly sold out, and Masters Burgener is working on distributing the next 200.
He said he's received requests for signs from as far away as the Yukon.
With a report from CTV Calgary
