A business owner in Oliver is disgruntled that he can’t share his national park opinion on his storefront.
The owner of Superior Trades on Main Street was told to take down the banners reading ‘Yes Freedom’ and ‘No National Park’.
Ron Ethier had the signs up for about a year until last Friday when a bylaw officer told him it had to come down or he would be subject to a fine. Although he complied, he was surprised that such a rule could exist in Canada. He believes he has a right as a Canadian to express his opinion at the business he runs.
The banners were in violation of a bylaw which states “any sign which identifies a business incorrectly …” is “declared a nuisance and unsightly, and is prohibited pursuant to the Municipal Act.”
Ethier would have been subject to a $100 fine had he not taken the signs down.
Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich said the action was taken in response to a complaint, and that two other business owners were given the same warning last week.
Ethier suspects the decision was politically motivated.
“They’re trying to push the park through whether we like it or not,” he said. “This is where we are in this country.”
