Anciens politiciens et élus actuels, alliés et adversaires, ont condamné l’agression verbale dont a été victime vendredi la vice-première ministre fédérale Chrystia Freeland, en Alberta.
Publié à 16h52
Mis à jour à 18h39
Une vidéo de 14 secondes a été diffusée sur Twitter par un compte d’un groupe s’étant opposé aux restrictions de la santé publique visant à combattre la COVID-19. On y voit Mme Freeland entrer dans un ascenseur au moment où un homme costaud s’approche d’elle pour lui crier des jurons et l’insulter.
« Traître ! », lance-t-il.
L’homme s’est approché de façon menaçante devant les portes ouvertes de l’ascenseur pour dire à Mme Freeland de s’en aller de l’Alberta. On entend aussi une femme dire à la vice-première ministre qu’elle « n’est pas à sa place, ici ».
Mme Freeland était en Alberta pour rencontrer notamment la mairesse de Grande Prairie.
La vice-première ministre et ministre des Finances a commenté samedi l’incident.
« Ce qui s’est passé hier [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 Mr.me Freeland.
Lisa Raitt, a former Conservative cabinet minister, said she “felt a knot in her stomach” watching the video. She got worried to see the man following Mme Freeland in the elevator. A former federal environment minister, Catherine McKenna, says she felt the same way.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Lisa Raitt, former Conservative minister
Mme McKenna, who faced extra security measures while minister, is urging all party leaders to hold a joint press conference to speak out against what she called an “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. »
The colleagues of M.me Freeland in the Council of Ministers 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 Mr.me Freeland are 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.me Freeland. “On behalf of the vast majority of Albertans who are kind, generous and respectable, you are welcome here,” she said.