In a video uploaded yesterday to YouTube (embedded below), Toby Whitfield, the VP of finance and president-elect of the Ryerson Students' Union (RSU) was spotted on U of T campus, allegedly ripping down University of Toronto French Club posters.

Whitfield has recently been at U of T postering for the Stronger Together student advocacy group, one of the two student groups running in the U of T Students' Union (UTSU) elections, the other being Change U of T.

According to the RSU 2009-2010 operating budget, as the union's VP of finance and services, Whitfield is paid $27,000 for services performed at Ryerson. It remains unknown why exactly he was campaigning at U of T.

The French club (EFUT) posters advertise an art gala being put on by the campus-recognized group as well as a free crĂŞpes event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the International Organization of the Francophonie. The video shows Whitfield walking around on campus, and cuts to a shot of a pile of the torn-down posters in the trash, but never depicts him actually tearing them down.

When the cameraman confronts Whitfield at U of T's Sidney Smith Hall, however, the RSU member asks not to be photographed, ignores his questions and appears to busy himself with his cell phone behind UTSU president Sandy Hudson.

The burning question remains: Was Whitfield actually tearing down posters, or is he the victim of an elaborate framing via YouTube?

I've made attempts to reach by phone and email both Whitfield and the Youtube video uploader. So far I have not received a response from either individual, but we'll post an update if we're able to garner any responses.

Photo by sevres-babylone of the blogTO Flickr pool.