Kitchissippi candidate Subhir Uppal's campaign signs defaced with swastikas

Campaign signs for Kitchissippi ward councillor candidate Subhir Uppal were defaced with swastikas near Churchill Avenue North and Scott Street on October 5. Police removed and confiscated the signs.

Uppal, a real estate technology startup founder who teaches ethics through the Real Estate Institute of Canada, responded with a video posted to social media on October 6. "The saddest part of this campaign isn't the possibility of losing. It's the hatred my family has experienced along the way," he said. Uppal described witnessing his parents' distress and his child's fear after seeing the defaced signs and learning from police that they were targeted.

Mayor Mark Stutcliffe posted on Bluesky: "I'm very disturbed to learn of racist graffiti on Subhir Uppal's campaign signs. I've let Subhir know I'm thinking of him and his family. No one in our city, including those offering to serve the community, should have to experience this kind of targeted abuse."

Ottawa Police said threats, harassment, hate-motivated crimes and election-sign damage are criminal offences. Anyone with information can contact Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300, or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppers.ca. The municipal election is scheduled for October 26, and four candidates are running for the Kitchissippi seat, vacated after Jeff Leiper announced his bid for mayor.