Calgary admits city workers mistakenly removed pro-separation referendum signs

Calgary admitted Friday that city workers mistakenly removed signs supporting Alberta separation and issued an apology.

Video posted online showed a city employee taking down multiple pro-separation signs and placing them in a city truck. Mayor Jeromy Farkas acknowledged the error in a social media post and accompanying video, saying: "I looked into reports of City workers removing some referendum signs. They made a mistake."

"In this case, we got it wrong and on behalf of city staff, I apologize," Farkas said in the video. "Calgarians need to know that their city isn't picking sides when it comes to enforcing the rules."

Signs have been returned to their owners. Some of the removed signs were paid for by Pathway to Independence, a third-party advertiser supporting Alberta separation. Cory Morgan, the organization's spokesperson, said the removal was "a frustrating annoyance" but acknowledged efforts to comply with regulations. "Glad it was returned," Morgan said. "We work hard to ensure our placements are compliant with regulations to avoid these sorts of things."

The city enforces restrictions on sign placement related to public safety — near intersections, transit stops, schools and playgrounds — and said it must apply those rules equally. The sign removal occurred on Tuesday. As of Thursday, "Send Ottawa a Message" signs remained along 10th Street Northwest near Confederation Park.

Farkas stressed his personal opposition to separation: "I don't think anyone is confused about where I stand on separation. I'm strongly against it, but people who disagree with me have the same right to participate in this debate as anyone else."

The city does not regulate referendum signs or advertising under provincial legislation, but will continue to address signs that create safety hazards or interfere with public infrastructure.