Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks during a campaign stop in Royal Oak, B.C., Sunday April 24, 2011.Adrian Wyld/ The Canadian Press
Stephen Harper denounced politically-motivated vandalism after a recent spate of tire slashing in Toronto ridings that included a vehicle owned by Liberal candidate Bob Rae.
"We absolutely condemn any such incidents by anybody inside and outside of political parties," the Conservative Leader said during a Sunday morning campaign stop in the greater Victoria area.
Between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET last Thursday, about 16 vehicles reportedly had their tires slashed in the Toronto riding of Trinity-Spadina. The main target appeared to be cars parked outside houses with Liberal lawn signs.
Mr. Harper said the Conservatives are not targeting supporters or candidates of other parties.
"We all have enough to do just trying to get our own views to the voters. We don't have enough time to run interference with other campaigns," Mr. Harper said.
He said the Conservatives are not immune from the problem and that Tory campaign signs are facing attacks too.
"We suffer acts of vandalism and these sorts of things as well ... They should not happen in a campaign," Mr. Harper said.
"A democratic campaign is ultimately based on tolerance of other partisan viewpoints."
Steven Chase