Politics in Canada is toxic and bitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yesterday during a press conference. His remarks followed 2019 committee testimony by Trudeau’s Clerk of the Privy Council that “somebody’s going to be shot in this country.”.“Political debate is becoming more and more bitter in this country, more aggressive,” Trudeau told reporters. “Citizens as we see unfortunately, some of them feel free to make threats.”.“We have to ensure the safety and security of all of those who wish to serve our country,” said Trudeau. “Otherwise the bullies will directly impact politicians’ ability to do their job and represent Canadians.”.“The current environment has become very toxic, online and directly,” said Trudeau. “There is a direct link with how debate goes on in Parliament.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Trudeau made the remarks when questioned by reporters over an August 26 incident in which a pair of unarmed protesters shouted expletives at Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. “You f*cking traitor, get the f*ck out of Alberta,” one man yelled as Freeland walked to an elevator at City Hall in Grande Prairie, Alta..Freeland yesterday called the confrontation unpleasant, but did not indicate she feared for her safety. “Yes, there was an unpleasant incident,” said Freeland. “I think it’s important for all of us to be really clear that is wrong.”.Michael Wernick, then-Clerk of the Privy Council, in 2019 testimony at the Commons justice committee said he feared assassins would strike in that year’s federal election campaign. “I worry about the rising tide of incitements to violence, when people use terms like treason and traitor in open discourse,” said Wernick..“Those are the words that lead to assassination. I’m worried that somebody’s going to be shot in this country this year during the political campaign.”.Wernick was testifying following a February 19, 2019 United We Roll protest against new oil and gas regulations on Parliament Hill. Access To Information records showed political aides at the time feared truckers, farmers and other protesters would storm the Prime Minister’s Office..“Many participants have voiced frustration with the PM personally, not only the federal government, with many calls for ‘overthrowing’ or arresting the PM,” said one staff memo. The note was among 206 pages of redacted emails released by the Privy Council Office..Chief Clerk Wernick also complained of intimidation by Facebook users. “I believe you will want to discuss this as intimidation of a witness,” Wernick told the justice committee..Asked to release the documents, Wernick disclosed Facebook messages from eight people. None made physical threats. “You should be fired,” said one message. “You’re a loser,” read another..No parliamentarian has been assassinated in Canada in 142 years. Senator George Brown (Ont.) in 1880 died of gangrene after being shot by a disgruntled ex-employee at his Globe and Mail newspaper office in Toronto.
Politics in Canada is toxic and bitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yesterday during a press conference. His remarks followed 2019 committee testimony by Trudeau’s Clerk of the Privy Council that “somebody’s going to be shot in this country.”.“Political debate is becoming more and more bitter in this country, more aggressive,” Trudeau told reporters. “Citizens as we see unfortunately, some of them feel free to make threats.”.“We have to ensure the safety and security of all of those who wish to serve our country,” said Trudeau. “Otherwise the bullies will directly impact politicians’ ability to do their job and represent Canadians.”.“The current environment has become very toxic, online and directly,” said Trudeau. “There is a direct link with how debate goes on in Parliament.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Trudeau made the remarks when questioned by reporters over an August 26 incident in which a pair of unarmed protesters shouted expletives at Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. “You f*cking traitor, get the f*ck out of Alberta,” one man yelled as Freeland walked to an elevator at City Hall in Grande Prairie, Alta..Freeland yesterday called the confrontation unpleasant, but did not indicate she feared for her safety. “Yes, there was an unpleasant incident,” said Freeland. “I think it’s important for all of us to be really clear that is wrong.”.Michael Wernick, then-Clerk of the Privy Council, in 2019 testimony at the Commons justice committee said he feared assassins would strike in that year’s federal election campaign. “I worry about the rising tide of incitements to violence, when people use terms like treason and traitor in open discourse,” said Wernick..“Those are the words that lead to assassination. I’m worried that somebody’s going to be shot in this country this year during the political campaign.”.Wernick was testifying following a February 19, 2019 United We Roll protest against new oil and gas regulations on Parliament Hill. Access To Information records showed political aides at the time feared truckers, farmers and other protesters would storm the Prime Minister’s Office..“Many participants have voiced frustration with the PM personally, not only the federal government, with many calls for ‘overthrowing’ or arresting the PM,” said one staff memo. The note was among 206 pages of redacted emails released by the Privy Council Office..Chief Clerk Wernick also complained of intimidation by Facebook users. “I believe you will want to discuss this as intimidation of a witness,” Wernick told the justice committee..Asked to release the documents, Wernick disclosed Facebook messages from eight people. None made physical threats. “You should be fired,” said one message. “You’re a loser,” read another..No parliamentarian has been assassinated in Canada in 142 years. Senator George Brown (Ont.) in 1880 died of gangrene after being shot by a disgruntled ex-employee at his Globe and Mail newspaper office in Toronto.
