It looks like a new candidate is throwing her hat into the ring in Moncton, but upon closer inspection, the slogan "Looking for Real Change" is really suggesting you get a new look.

Ego is a hair/piercing/tattoo studio owned by Michael Coleman.

He's set up purple signs of all sizes in imitation of the ubiquitous election signs around the city.

He says this "purple wave" is a way to drum up business.

"There's so many election signs around town today, like you see on every corner, it felt like a natural fit to do something unique and different," he said.

Michael Coleman set up ads around Moncton that look like election signs. (Tori Weldon/CBC) The signs started popping up on Friday night, and although they look political, Coleman says he isn't trying to make a statement.

"I'm a big supporter of the political process.This is all just fun and creating some branding for us," he said.

The stunt is getting a lot of love on Facebook, but not everyone is so supportive.

"I can see the humour in it, but I can also see how it would be considered offensive," said Kathlene MacLean, a Moncton resident.

"If they're just doing it without getting any kind of permission, then I don't think it's right," said Shivaraj Ishaya, another person approached by CBC News on Monday.

Elections Canada says since these are not election signs, this is not their issue.

However, the City of Moncton says the signs break signage bylaws and that Coleman should expect a phone call asking him to take them down.

Coleman says he was planning to do that anyway, but they aren't going in the trash — yet.

"There's other cities, Riverview and Dieppe, in town too … and I'm sure I'll hear from those city officials too, but it's just fun," he said.