SUMMERLAND – RCMP are investigating what appears to be a hate-motivated crime in Summerland.
On Sunday, October 19, a motorist called RCMP to report that a double-sided portable sign in front of Grasslands Nursery on Gartrell Road had been altered.
The owner of the nursery, Toni Boot, is running for council in the upcoming civic election.
The sign read “Vote Toni for Council.”
But the culprit or culprits re-arranged the letters on the sign reflecting derogatory slurs against Boot.
The derogatory comments were sexual and racist in nature.
Boot says she experienced racism as a child and the incident is bringing back some bad memories.
“Racism is part of life when you grow up in an area such as the Okanagan Valley that is primarily Caucasian, ” she says.
But the incident has her even more determined now to win a seat on council.
“I was feeling pretty sad that this was the way I was kicking off my campaign because it had nothing to do with my campaign. It has overshadowed and taken time away from what I need to do as the election approaches; it’s made me a little ticked off as well,” says Boot.
RCMP say hate motivated crimes are very concerning.
They are looking for any information from the public to help them determine the person or persons responsible.
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