The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating an incident in which Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was subjected to verbal harassment in Grande Prairie, Alberta last Friday.
A video posted to Twitter by an account that voices opposition to public health measures related to COVID-19 shows Ms. Freeland entering an elevator as a tall man approaches her, swearing and shouting at her. called a “traitor”.
The man in the video stands in front of the open elevator doors and tells Ms Freeland to leave Alberta, while a woman says to him, “You don’t belong here. »
In a statement, RCMP spokesperson Robin Percival says physical or verbal actions in person or online can have significant effects and may be against the law.
She says that when the threshold for a criminal charge is reached, the RCMP or the appropriate police service can make arrests and lay charges.
If the criminal threshold is not met, the RCMP reviews threats and derogatory comments from an intelligence perspective.
Under RCMP regulations, MPs are entitled to RCMP protection in Canada and abroad, as required.
“For security reasons, the RCMP does not comment on the details regarding the security measures granted to the Deputy Prime Minister,” explained Ms. Percival.
The protective measures are intelligence-based and commensurate with any threat or risk assessed by the RCMP, the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Center (ITAC) and other partners, she added.
“The RCMP continually reviews its protective measures and practices in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for protected persons,” she added.
The episode involving Ms Freeland drew widespread condemnation.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the incident was part of a broader pattern of misconduct, particularly targeting women, people of color and Indigenous peoples.
He stressed this week that it was important to “turn the temperature down,” adding that federal officials were keeping options open to better deal with the phenomenon.