Chantel Downes
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Lakeland This Week
Raymond Cowell, who is running for City of Cold Lake council, said he first learned about the theft while he was away on a Chamber of Commerce business trip in South Africa.
A friend sent him a video online of one of his signs being taken, and when he returned home, he realized most of his 50 signs had disappeared. Only three remain, including the one at his home.
Cowell said the theft appears to have been targeted. “When I arrived back from South Africa, I drove around and I noticed that my signs had been targeted because the metal poles still remained there,” he explained. “I had like 50 signs out, and they’re just all gone.”
For Cowell, the issue isn’t about the signs themselves, but about what they represent.
“It’s not about getting the signs back or holding anybody accountable,” he said. “It’s more about me making sure that we have free and fair elections.”
The candidate acknowledged some online criticism that sign theft pales in comparison to Cold Lake’s broader challenges, such as crime, affordability, and mental health issues. Still, he said vandalizing or stealing election signs undermines the democratic process.
“The way to do that isn’t to take down people’s election signs, it’s to challenge them in debate and get informed about people’s campaigns and what they represent,” Cowell said.
Cowell added that all the signs were paid for out of his own pocket.
“I want to be part of that solution together as a community,” he said, adding, he hopes the incident encourages residents to stay vigilant and help ensure a fair and free election.
Cowell noted that stealing election signs is a federal crime and should not be overlooked.
Despite setbacks, Cowell said he has received encouragement from supporters willing to help replace the missing signs. He hopes the incident sparks wider awareness about protecting election integrity.
Meanwhile, the RCMP have launched an investigation.
Cpl. Mathew Howell, a public information officer with RCMP, confirmed police received a complaint.
“We first got the information on Sept. 15, just after 1 p.m., the complainant came in and provided surveillance photos,” Howell said. “So far, apart from that we have no other leads or suspects, and no one has come [forward].”
Howell added that while election sign theft and vandalism are common during campaign periods, it is still taken seriously.
“Everyone’s allowed to be able to run a campaign without interference,” he said.
Police are asking anyone with clear footage or information about the theft to come forward.
Cowell, meanwhile, says the incident has only strengthened his campaign message.
“I represent the people here in Cold Lake, and that’s what I’m running on,” he said.
Cowell plans to ensure all of the missing signs are replaced.
