The video, which was shared on Twitter, shows a man and two women waiting in the lobby of Grande Prairie, Alta.’s city hall when Freeland and her staff enter the building and approach the elevator. “Christ!” shouts the man. “Yes!” Freeland answers. What follows is a barrage of insults and curses from the man, who calls Freeland a “traitor” and a “f—ing b—-” as she enters the elevator. “Get the f— out of this province!” The man can be heard shouting, while another woman tells her: “You don’t belong here.” Freeland, who represents a downtown Toronto riding, was born in Peace River, Alta. and attended high school in Edmonton. A longer video, which appeared to have been originally posted on TikTok, shows the man then being led out of the building. According to her official itinerary, Freeland was in Grande Prairie on Friday and met with local farmers and specialty traders. He was at city hall to meet with the city’s mayor, Jackie Clayton. Current and former politicians from various parties took to social media to show their support for Freeland and denounce the verbal abuse. Employment Minister Carla Qualtrow tweeted that she was “disgusted by what my brilliant colleague @cafreeland faced yesterday”, while Defense Minister Anita Anand said she was “appalled by the threats and intimidation” directed at Freeland. Public Security Minister Marco Medicino also condemned the incident. “This type of behavior should be called out and condemned by all, regardless of political affiliation,” he said in a tweet. Across the aisle, BC Conservative MP Dan Albas called the video “disturbing” and said this type of behavior “has no place here in Canada.” Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest called it “dangerous behaviour” and “crass bullying”. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also called the harassment “reprehensible.” “If you disagree with a politician, by all means exercise your right to protest. But threatening, screaming language and physical intimidation cross the line,” Kenney said in a tweet. Edmonton NDP MP Heather McPhereson also voiced her support for Freeland, tweeting: “I don’t always agree with the decisions your government makes, but on behalf of the vast majority of Albertans who are kind, generous and dignified, you are welcome here.” Apart from the Prime Minister, federal cabinet ministers are usually not provided with security details except on rare occasions. Back in 2019, then Environment Minister Catherine McKenna revealed she had to take on a security detail after receiving repeated threats and abusive messages, both online and in person. CTVNews.ca reached out to Freeland’s office for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication. With files from The Canadian Press
I am appalled by the threats and intimidation directed at my colleague @cafreeland yesterday. This behavior has no place in Canada. We have all run for office to promote dialogue on important public policy issues, and harassment like this cannot be tolerated. — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) August 27, 2022 There is absolutely no place in our country for the harassment, intimidation and threatening behavior that @cafreeland and its staff endured last night. This kind of behavior should be called out and condemned by all, regardless of political affiliation. — Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) August 27, 2022 The verbal harassment and threats against Minister @cafreeland during her visit to Alberta yesterday was reprehensible. If you disagree with a politician, by all means exercise your right to protest. But threatening, screaming language and physical intimidation cross the line. — Jason Kenney 🇺🇦 (@jkenney) August 27, 2022 This is gross bullying. People are angry. I understand. But this is dangerous behavior. It cannot be normalized. Every political leader must speak out and condemn it. #cdnpoli https://t.co/azcuUE4vst — Jean Charest (@JeanCharest_) August 27, 2022 Hey @cafreeland! I don’t always agree with the decisions your government makes, but on behalf of the vast majority of Albertans who are kind, generous and decent, you are welcome here. — Heather McPherson (@HMcPhersonMP) August 27, 2022
