Mobile duress alarms were rolled out this week to increase personal security for Members of Parliament.
This comes after a series of threats, and rising concerns about harassment.
MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River Marcus Powlowski is one of many in favour of panic buttons, noting “I personally don’t feel that I need it. I know other (members) have felt threatened, especially in some cases women have felt threatened, I have never felt physically threatened. I think the risk is very low for me personally, but I’m happy that increased safety measures are there for my office staff should they need it.”
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino noted he has received death threats on social media platforms while NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has endured verbal harassment during the Ontario election campaign visit last month.
“We are seeing an increase in polarization of public opinion, and I think the risk of disruption comes from both sides of the political spectrum,” mentioned Powlowski. “There are a lot of angry people out there who are unhappy at the Liberal government, and we certainly hear it. We have people calling us and swearing at us, which certainly is troubling. In talking to some of my colleagues who have been members for much longer than I have, they seem to feel that it’s only gotten worse.”
Meanwhile, Thunder Bay-Superior North member Patty Hajdu confirmed to Acadia News that she has also received threats.
“We work with the ministerial hotline, if you will, that actually is activated through Thunder Bay Police and upwards,” Hajdu said. “There have been times where I have received a variety of kinds of threats or indications, either written or otherwise, that people are obviously angry about something and appropriate action has to be taken.”
Hajdu added, “Everybody is entitled to a different opinion about what we should do and how we should do it and how fast or how slow we should do it. That’s the nature of democracy is that we have these debates, and sometimes they are vigorous debates. (That said) I think the line should really be drawn at threats of personal violence.”
