When Allan and Stephanie Robertson saw their neighbour two doors down had erected a large Liberal sign on his lawn, they knew they had to match it, so they phoned up the NDP and said “bring us a big one.”
The Robertsons are big fans of Halifax MP Megan Leslie, while their neighbour Malcolm Norton -- a friend for nearly 20 years -- wants Liberal Andy Fillmore to win.
After the Robertsons got their big sign planted, Norton wasn’t about to be outdone, so he pointed floodlights to illuminate his lawn sign at nighttime.
The Robertsons did the same, and then one-upped him with a border of festive lights.
Norton saw that, so he dug out his Christmas lights too.
At some point, the Robertsons’ sign disappeared, so they called up the NDP and got two more, including an even bigger one, which Stephanie estimates is about 4 feet by 8 feet (roughly three square metres).
The big one went on a fence and the other got not only lights, but also a couple of Canadian flags.
Norton joked that the stolen sign might have been taken by someone trying to frame him, though he insists he didn’t snatch it.
The sign war has been mostly entertaining for neighbours, Norton told CTV News Channel.
“People are really enjoying the fact that we’re engaging, I think.”
“I just talked to our neighbour in between us and some people have described her as Switzerland,” Norton added, referring to the European country that has famously stayed neutral during wars.
“She’s loving it too.”
Jill Murray, who lives in the “demilitarized zone” between the two houses, is indeed enjoying the friendly competition while not taking sides.
One reason for that: Murray works in the printing business and has been producing campaign material for politicians of all stripes.
Murray said she hopes the signs will encourage people to get out and vote.
With a report from CTV Atlantic’s Marie Adsett
