“There is absolutely no place in our country for the harassment, bullying and threatening behavior that [Chrystia Freeland] and her staff were submitted last night,” Federal Public Security Minister Marco Medicino said online about the 14-second video on Twitter. “This kind of behavior should be called out and condemned by everyone, regardless of political affiliation,” he said. Story continues below ad 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 quote was posted by an account expressing opposition to the health measures for COVID-19. It shows Freeland getting into an elevator at the city hall in Grand Prairie when a man approaches and starts hurling profanities at her. “Christ,” the man shouts, then proceeds to call her a “traitor.” Another woman joins him and tells Freeland, “You don’t belong here.” Freeland also took to social media to address the situation on Saturday. “I’m proud to be from Alberta,” she said. “I will keep coming back because Alberta is my home and because I want to keep meeting Albertans from across this great province and visiting my family and friends here.” Story continues below ad Freeland said what happened to her was “a mistake.” “No one, anywhere, should tolerate threats and intimidation,” he added. Freeland also praised the “warm welcome” she’s received in Alberta in recent days. “An unpleasant incident yesterday does not change that,” he said. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said: “If you disagree with a politician, by all means exercise your right to protest. But yelling and threatening language and physical intimidation cross the line.” 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 Kenney called the “verbal harassment and threats” directed at Freeland “reprehensible.” Trending Stories
‘Tip inflation’: Why Canadians are tipping more than ever Bell Media’s news executive will be on leave following Lisa LaFlamme’s departure
Story continues below ad “You know our governments have many serious disagreements. But you are more than welcome to come and visit us here in the country where you grew up and your family lives,” he wrote to Freeland. Freeland posted photos on social media Friday showing her meeting with Jackie Clayton, the mayor of Grand Prairie, northwest of Edmonton. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest also condemned the incident, calling it “dangerous behavior.” “It cannot be normalized. Every political leader must speak up and condemn this,” he said. Michelle Rebel Garner, a former cabinet minister in the Stephen Harper government and current Conservative Member of Parliament for Calgary Nose Hill, also spoke, drawing from personal experience. “I would never wish on anyone the fear I felt when I was confronted by people who stalked and verbally abused me with video camera in hand in an attempt to intimidate and silence me,” she said. “No one deserves this. No one. What happened to her should not be normalized or justified.” 3/ I would never wish upon anyone the fear I felt when I was physically confronted by people who stalked and verbally abused me with video camera in hand in an attempt to intimidate and silence me. So when I saw the video of what happened at @cafreeland… — Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) August 27, 2022 Story continues below ad Alberta MLA Janis Irwin also participated. “Women in politics say to be strong. We are told to ignore the haters. We are told not to let things get to us. We are told that we should have thick skins. But thicker skin won’t stop a bullet,” he said. “I’m so sorry [Chrystia Freeland] and her team”. For former Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt, she felt a knot in her stomach when she saw the video as she worried the man would follow Freeland into the elevator. “Physical bullying is not a form of democratic expression,” he said online.
Read more: Freeland hits back at Kushner’s book, calls Trump ‘bully’ during new NAFTA talks
Responding to Raitt, former Liberal environment minister Catherine McKenna also felt her stomach turn into knots while watching the video. He called on “all party leaders” to hold a joint press conference to condemn the “attack” in Freeland, while hailing the commitment to elected officials to beef up security. Story continues below ad While cabinet ministers do not generally receive RCMP protection, it can be arranged if required. During her tenure, McKenna received additional security for certain events. Rakhi Pancholi, another Alberta MLA, said she is “sickened and angry” about the incident. I am sick and angry about what happened today to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and her staff. I’m tired of asking for it to be called out because the people who need it most are the ones who tacitly and explicitly encourage it. #ableg — Rakhi Pancholi, MLA (@pancholi_rakhi) August 27, 2022 “I’m tired of asking for it to be called out because the people who need to do it the most are the ones who are tacitly and explicitly encouraging it,” he said. — With files from the Canadian Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
