MONTREAL - A controversial political symbol has many in the small town of Lorraine, Quebec fuming.
Michael Chamas painted a series of upside-down maple leaves on his house as a way to attract attention to his plight.
He has since moved to the United Arab Emirates to be with his wife and three children. He is said to have had some issues with the tax authorities and apparently owes the tax man a good sum of cash. He has denounced the country through the artwork.
The mayor of the municipality of 10,000, 42 kilometers north of Montreal, has ordered the paintwork removed and if Chamas fails to do so, he will be fined.
"I don't think it's the right platform for him to make his point," said Lorraine Mayor Ramez Ayoub.
Neighbours were not shy to lambaste Chamas.
"This guy is really weird," said one.
"Don't give him too much publicity," said another. "Because that's exactly what he wants."
Several others described the paintwork as, "ridiculous."
Another said that authorities, "should get rid of this guy right away."
In April, Chamas performed a similar protest by flying flags at half-mast and upside-down.
In spite of his detractors Chamas managed to find someone to touch up his controversial artwork. That touch-up artist is apparently not a fan of Canada either.
