Former and current politicians, allies and adversaries, have condemned the verbal harassment of federal Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland in Alberta on Friday.
A 14-second video was posted on Twitter by an account of a group that opposed public health restrictions aimed at combating COVID-19. We see Ms. Freeland entering an elevator when a burly man approaches her to shout swear words and insult her.
“Traitor! “, he launches.
The man approached the open elevator doors menacingly to tell Ms. Freeland to get out of Alberta. We also hear a woman tell the Deputy Prime Minister that she “doesn’t belong here. »
Ms. Freeland was in Alberta to meet with the mayor of Grande Prairie, among others.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance commented on the incident on Saturday.
“What happened yesterday [vendredi] is incorrect. No one, no matter where they live, should have to tolerate threats or intimidation,” she wrote on Twitter.
She reaffirmed her pride in being Albertan. She added that she was grateful for the “warm welcome” she received in Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Peace River over the past few days.
“Yesterday’s unpleasant incident does not change that fact,” concluded Ms. Freeland.
Lisa Raitt, a former Conservative cabinet minister, said she “felt a knot in her stomach” watching the video. She became concerned to see the man follow Mrs. Freeland into the elevator. A former federal environment minister, Catherine McKenna, says she felt the same way.
Ms McKenna, who was subjected to extra security measures while she was minister, is urging all party leaders to hold a joint press conference to speak out against what she called ‘aggression’ against Freeland, and commit to strengthening the security of elected officials.
Jean Charest, one of the candidates in the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party, also condemned the gesture of the man.
“This is brutal bullying,” he tweeted. People are angry. I understand that, but this behavior is dangerous. We cannot normalize this. All political leaders must condemn this. »
Ms. Freeland’s colleagues in the Council of Ministers have also denounced this case of harassment.
“Harassment in any form is unacceptable. [Chrytia Freeland], we will always be by your side, reacted in particular the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos. Discourse is the strength of our democracy; abuse is not one of them. Intimidation towards the VPM & its team cannot be tolerated, under penalty of setting a dangerous precedent. »
“No one should be harassed, threatened or intimidated,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. The threat that [Chrystia Freeland] has been subjected to is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in Canada. Neither she nor her staff should have to endure this behavior. »
Alberta Premier Jason Kenny said “the verbal harassment and threats directed at Ms. Freeland is reprehensible.”
“Our governments have had deep disagreements, you know that. But you are always more than welcome to visit us in the province where you grew up and your family lives,” he wrote, speaking directly to the deputy premier.
NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona Heather McPherson also spoke to Ms. Freeland. “On behalf of the vast majority of Albertans who are kind, generous and respectable, you are welcome here,” she said.