TORONTO — Graffiti that suggests a vote for Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a vote for Nazism was discovered Sept. 21 in front of a home in Toronto’s Bathurst Manor neighbourhood.

The messages spray-painted on the road in front of 178 Codsell Ave., said, “Stop Harper,” “Death = Harper,” as well as an image of a swastika beside the symbol and word “= Harper.”

Mark Adler, the Conservative candidate for York Centre – the riding that encompasses Bathurst Manor, which is home to many Jews, including many Holocaust survivors – released a statement following the discovery of the graffiti that condemned it as anti-Semitic.

“I am deeply disturbed by the appalling anti-Semitic graffiti in the Bathurst Manor area, which trivializes the Holocaust, denigrates the memory of Holocaust victims, and is highly offensive to the ethnically and religiously diverse members of the Conservative party,” Adler said.

“Moreover, the timing of this odious graffiti is deplorable as Jews across Canada prepare for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and holiest day in the Jewish calendar, during which time Jews strive for personal peace that will help make the world a better place for all.”

When contacted by The CJN, Adler's campaign manager declined to comment further, referring back to the statement. 

Sara Lefton, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ vice-president for the Greater Toronto Area, also condemned the graffiti.

“Nazi analogies are inappropriate, offensive, and disrespectful to all Canadians, particularly Holocaust victims, survivors and their families. Graffiti like this has no place in the Canadian political process and should be condemned by all Canadians,” Lefton said.