FELGER SUING IN SIGN BATTLE

The battle of the signs that played out in Abbotsford during June's federal
election has been taken to the courts.

Tim Felger, who ran for the Marijuana Party, filed a statement of claim in
B.C. Supreme Court this week, claiming the city and the police department
were negligent and breached their duties by seizing his election signs in
violation of the Elections Act.

Felger also claims they sabotaged his political election campaign and his
charter rights, including his right to freedom, belief, opinion and expression.

A city spokesman was unaware of the newly-filed lawsuit when contacted by
the Abbotsford News this week.

However, in June Mayor Mary Reeves said the city acted legally and "did not
touch" any of Felger's political election signs. She said the city received
legal guidance as to which signs could and could not be taken down. One of
the signs in question demanded that Reeves and MP Randy White support the
legalization of marijuana.

Felger is seeking $500,000 for damages, loss of opportunity, expenses and
punitive damages.

He also wants to see a municipal bylaw that would make cannabis-related
offences not committed by organized crime the lowest priority of the
Abbotsford Police, and injunction against enforcing the Abbotsford
municipal bylaw directed at innocent home owners who rent their homes out
to marijuana growers until a court can assess its compliance with the
Charter of Rights and freedoms.