Calling on politicians and Canadians to think about what kind of political speech they want to have in light of the increase in vitriol and harassment directed at political figures, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday he was “unhappy that the “aggressive tactics of intimidation and hatred of a small number of people” forces a rethinking of security measures.
“I think it’s extremely important that we demonstrate the strength of our democracy, and part of the strength of our democracy is being able to see the Minister of Defense shopping on weekends at the local IGA,” Trudeau said. “We need to be able to have this connection that we have always been proud of, which is that Canadians can be close to those who represent them.”
In recent months, increased attention has been paid to the security risks to politicians at all levels, after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was verbally harassed at an event in Peterborough, Ontario, which was followed shortly by the decision to provide MPs with panic buttons.
The issue was catapulted back onto the political agenda over the weekend after video showed a man confronting Deputy Premier Chrystia Freeland in Alberta, shouting profanity at her in the lobby of the Grande Prairie City Hall as she and her staff entered. an elevator.
The RCMP are currently investigating, saying “physical actions and statements made in person or online may have a significant impact and may be against the law.”
Freeland has not left the province since the incident, continuing his tour of Western Canada. Appearing for her first public events since the incident on Tuesday, Freeland was seen flanked by a security guard. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Freeland was asked if she planned to increase her security, to which she said she would take RCMP advice.
Aside from the Prime Minister, it is rare for federal cabinet ministers to have consistent security details, but the RCMP provides MPs with protection in Canada and abroad “as needed”, based on threat assessments and risks.
The incident sparked a conversation about whether that should change, with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino indicating earlier this week that he was looking at options to increase the safety of politicians.
“We need to ensure that the people who do their jobs and serve their communities, and serve their country – including at the highest levels – feel safe in the work they do. [and] don’t worry about their families, don’t worry about endangering their loved ones…whether as journalists or as politicians,” the prime minister said, referring to a side conversation about an increase in threats against journalists, especially women and people of color.
Freeland echoed this during his press conference on Wednesday. “I realize that there are many journalists and politicians across the country who have much less support than me, who can deal with difficult situations, and it is important for all of us to support them,” said she declared.
WITHOUT ACTION ‘WILL GET WORSE’
Speaking from their own experiences as elected officials, Ministers Filomena Tassi and Helena Jaczek expressed concern that if the discourse does not improve there could be serious consequences.
“It’s clear that my behavior has changed,” Tassi said.
“There is a role for all Canadians here. If Canadians do not enter into this dialogue, it will get worse and worse. If this behavior is accepted as a norm, then we are going to be in a position that is far more serious than we are now,” she said, citing the risk that fear of harming themselves or to their families deters people from entering public life.
Tassi said while additional security measures may be needed, that’s not the answer.
“I can’t have someone by my side 24/7… The answer is that this behavior has to stop.”
Jaczek said she has been the victim of verbal abuse and bullying behavior, but being recognized and approached in her constituency is “one of the best connections” she has with her constituents. “I don’t want to be intimidated in any way to miss these opportunities,” she said.
Tassi and Trudeau said federal politicians have a major role to play in setting the tone for policy debates. They both said Wednesday that while disagreement is necessary for a functioning democracy, all parties should oppose the kind of rhetoric and behavior that makes it harder for women and racialized Canadians to serve in government or hold the government to account as journalists.
“It’s something that all parliamentarians and all leaders have to stand against, have to be unequivocal in order to be responsible leaders. To say, ‘no, we’re not going to become this toxic polarized country that some people think is we should become,” Trudeau said.
Although a number of federal Conservative politicians have also personally experienced and spoken of the increase in in-person and online harassment, they said the Prime Minister and other members of his government played a role in driving of the heightened division seen across the country which, coupled with a rise in misinformation, appears to be fueling growing anger.
“It’s more important than ever for political leaders – left and right – to resist the temptation to cash in on political polarization. Concretely, this means not highlighting issues of divergence and instead normalizing listening. and the search for consensus,” he added. tweeted the Conservative MP from Alberta Michelle Rempel Garner this weekend.
“We must debate from a position of respect for each other and, if necessary, of recognition of past failures in this regard, both on the left and on the right… If we want cohesion and prosperity, we must do better. I have faith in our country and I know we are going to get through this era of anger and hostility. It starts with each of us governing ourselves accordingly,” she said.