Freeland Ambush Highlights Growing Threats To Women In Canadian Public Life Canada

Meetings with disgruntled voters have long been accepted as a reality of Canadian politics, but the tradition of friendly dialogue is increasingly replaced by racial slurs, threatening late-night phone calls and fears for the safety of politicians’ families. On a visit to rural Alberta on Friday, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was accosted by a large man who hurled insults at her and called her a “traitor.” The incident, now being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was quickly condemned by leaders of all parties. “Threats, violence, intimidation of any kind are always unacceptable, and this kind of cowardly behavior threatens and undermines our democracy, the values, transparency and respect that Canada was built on,” Trudeau said. on Monday. Freeland’s condemnation of the Alberta incident prompted other women to share their experiences of misogyny and racism while serving in public office. Jyoti Gondek, mayor of Calgary, recounted the “pain and fear” that comes with constant harassment. “During the 2017 municipal elections, a man called me to say he knew where I live and that I should be careful. He then confronted me personally in a public debate. He was about 6ft 2in, 200lbs,” he tweeted. “In an open area full of people, he confided in me that he had made that phone call and would see to it that I lose the election. Then he sat in the front row and watched me for the entire event.” Gondek, who immigrated from the UK to Canada, recounted incidents where she was called racially abusive and told to “go where [she] It came from”. “The cold reality is we all know the deputy prime minister will be targeted again. We know I will be targeted again,” he wrote. “All the stories shared by journalists and politicians should show you that it will happen again. And the next time it could lead to injury or death.” Former Environment Minister Kathryn McKenna said the “chilling” video of the incident in Alberta highlights the growing threats politicians face “when we’re just trying to do our jobs.” “I’m still nervous. I look over my shoulder all the time. Anything that’s weird, around my house, or when I’m out, I’m into it. I’m on high alert,” he told the Guardian. During her tenure as environment minister, threats and harassment “started to go offline” and take place in public. Her campaign office was defaced. A man visited her office looking for McKenna and screaming at her staff. He found her when she was out with her family. “It’s really traumatic when we split it all up. That’s why I’m so mad right now. And I’m just saying it, because it’s really for my colleagues today, but also for all women in politics… We have to be serious, because someone can get killed, and that’s scary.” Spending on security for lawmakers has increased in the UK since the 2016 assassination of Jo Cox, when she was killed before meeting with constituents. And in the United States, the safety of public officials has become a greater focus since the 2011 shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and the failed terrorist plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier this summer, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said lawmakers would get panic buttons amid an increase in bullying and harassment. Mendicino himself had received death threats after a gun restriction bill. “We haven’t taken it seriously enough in Canada. A panic button is nothing serious,” McKenna said. “We have to look at models from other countries, where you have a dedicated agency whose express mandate is to protect people in high-profile positions.” After the Freeland incident, Medicino said his government was considering all possible options, including security for cabinet ministers and MPs. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality. Photo: Blair Gable/Reuters Growing partisanship and the echo chamber of social media have often been blamed for eroding civility, but Canada’s minister for women, gender equality and youth — who has spoken candidly about the racism she’s faced as a black woman in the media information – says members of visible minorities have long faced harassment and intimidation. “This has been an ongoing situation, and while it’s just coming to light maybe for some people now, the temperature has been quite high, for many of us, for a long time,” Marci Ien told the Guardian. “The idea that things are getting demonstrably worse – it’s always been very bad. It’s just that the people at whom the vitriol was hurled were not the deputy prime minister.” In recent weeks, the Canadian Association of Journalists has condemned a spate of attacks against female journalists, with much of the harassment targeting journalists’ race and ethnicity. Yen said her own broadcasting experience prepared her for the vitriol she faced as a cabinet minister. The decision to run for public office was “incredibly difficult” for her family, but the broader reckoning that unfolded in Canada after the death of George Floyd in the United States prompted her to run, she said. “Honestly, I wanted to be at the table. If you’re going to try to fix something or engage in a collaborative process, you have to be part of the system.” But Ien warned that the “despicable” attack on Freeland would have a broader effect on women and marginalized groups looking to enter politics and could make it harder for lawmakers to meet openly — and safely — with voters. “I love the conversations I can have on the streets with people. This is something we have in this country to be proud of,” he said. “But when you have that kind of violence, it’s an absolute deterrent for people – especially women. They’ll look at it and say, “Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to get involved?’ And that’s the problem, because we need everyone at the table.”

title: “Freeland Ambush Highlights Growing Threats To Women In Canadian Public Life Canada Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-11” author: “Rachel Hoyle”

Meetings with disgruntled voters have long been accepted as a reality of Canadian politics, but the tradition of friendly dialogue is increasingly replaced by racial slurs, threatening late-night phone calls and fears for the safety of politicians’ families. On a visit to rural Alberta on Friday, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was accosted by a large man who hurled insults at her and called her a “traitor.” The incident, now being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was quickly condemned by leaders of all parties. “Threats, violence, intimidation of any kind are always unacceptable, and this kind of cowardly behavior threatens and undermines our democracy, the values, transparency and respect that Canada was built on,” Trudeau said. on Monday. Freeland’s condemnation of the Alberta incident prompted other women to share their experiences of misogyny and racism while serving in public office. Jyoti Gondek, mayor of Calgary, recounted the “pain and fear” that comes with constant harassment. “During the 2017 municipal elections, a man called me to say he knew where I live and that I should be careful. He then confronted me personally in a public debate. He was about 6ft 2in, 200lbs,” he tweeted. “In an open area full of people, he confided in me that he had made that phone call and would see to it that I lose the election. Then he sat in the front row and watched me for the entire event.” Gondek, who immigrated from the UK to Canada, recounted incidents where she was called racially abusive and told to “go where [she] It came from”. “The cold reality is we all know the deputy prime minister will be targeted again. We know I will be targeted again,” he wrote. “All the stories shared by journalists and politicians should show you that it will happen again. And the next time it could lead to injury or death.” Former Environment Minister Kathryn McKenna said the “chilling” video of the incident in Alberta highlights the growing threats politicians face “when we’re just trying to do our jobs.” “I’m still nervous. I look over my shoulder all the time. Anything that’s weird, around my house, or when I’m out, I’m into it. I’m on high alert,” he told the Guardian. During her tenure as environment minister, threats and harassment “started to go offline” and take place in public. Her campaign office was defaced. A man visited her office looking for McKenna and screaming at her staff. He found her when she was out with her family. “It’s really traumatic when we split it all up. That’s why I’m so mad right now. And I’m just saying it, because it’s really for my colleagues today, but also for all women in politics… We have to be serious, because someone can get killed, and that’s scary.” Spending on security for lawmakers has increased in the UK since the 2016 assassination of Jo Cox, when she was killed before meeting with constituents. And in the United States, the safety of public officials has become a greater focus since the 2011 shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and the failed terrorist plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier this summer, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said lawmakers would get panic buttons amid an increase in bullying and harassment. Mendicino himself had received death threats after a gun restriction bill. “We haven’t taken it seriously enough in Canada. A panic button is nothing serious,” McKenna said. “We have to look at models from other countries, where you have a dedicated agency whose express mandate is to protect people in high-profile positions.” After the Freeland incident, Medicino said his government was considering all possible options, including security for cabinet ministers and MPs. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality. Photo: Blair Gable/Reuters Growing partisanship and the echo chamber of social media have often been blamed for eroding civility, but Canada’s minister for women, gender equality and youth — who has spoken candidly about the racism she’s faced as a black woman in the media information – says members of visible minorities have long faced harassment and intimidation. “This has been an ongoing situation, and while it’s just coming to light maybe for some people now, the temperature has been quite high, for many of us, for a long time,” Marci Ien told the Guardian. “The idea that things are getting demonstrably worse – it’s always been very bad. It’s just that the people at whom the vitriol was hurled were not the deputy prime minister.” In recent weeks, the Canadian Association of Journalists has condemned a spate of attacks against female journalists, with much of the harassment targeting journalists’ race and ethnicity. Yen said her own broadcasting experience prepared her for the vitriol she faced as a cabinet minister. The decision to run for public office was “incredibly difficult” for her family, but the broader reckoning that unfolded in Canada after the death of George Floyd in the United States prompted her to run, she said. “Honestly, I wanted to be at the table. If you’re going to try to fix something or engage in a collaborative process, you have to be part of the system.” But Ien warned that the “despicable” attack on Freeland would have a broader effect on women and marginalized groups looking to enter politics and could make it harder for lawmakers to meet openly — and safely — with voters. “I love the conversations I can have on the streets with people. This is something we have in this country to be proud of,” he said. “But when you have that kind of violence, it’s an absolute deterrent for people – especially women. They’ll look at it and say, “Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to get involved?’ And that’s the problem, because we need everyone at the table.”

title: “Freeland Ambush Highlights Growing Threats To Women In Canadian Public Life Canada Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Carl Way”

Meetings with disgruntled voters have long been accepted as a reality of Canadian politics, but the tradition of friendly dialogue is increasingly replaced by racial slurs, threatening late-night phone calls and fears for the safety of politicians’ families. On a visit to rural Alberta on Friday, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was accosted by a large man who hurled insults at her and called her a “traitor.” The incident, now being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was quickly condemned by leaders of all parties. “Threats, violence, intimidation of any kind are always unacceptable, and this kind of cowardly behavior threatens and undermines our democracy, the values, transparency and respect that Canada was built on,” Trudeau said. on Monday. Freeland’s condemnation of the Alberta incident prompted other women to share their experiences of misogyny and racism while serving in public office. Jyoti Gondek, mayor of Calgary, recounted the “pain and fear” that comes with constant harassment. “During the 2017 municipal elections, a man called me to say he knew where I live and that I should be careful. He then confronted me personally in a public debate. He was about 6ft 2in, 200lbs,” he tweeted. “In an open area full of people, he confided in me that he had made that phone call and would see to it that I lose the election. Then he sat in the front row and watched me for the entire event.” Gondek, who immigrated from the UK to Canada, recounted incidents where she was called racially abusive and told to “go where [she] It came from”. “The cold reality is we all know the deputy prime minister will be targeted again. We know I will be targeted again,” he wrote. “All the stories shared by journalists and politicians should show you that it will happen again. And the next time it could lead to injury or death.” Former Environment Minister Kathryn McKenna said the “chilling” video of the incident in Alberta highlights the growing threats politicians face “when we’re just trying to do our jobs.” “I’m still nervous. I look over my shoulder all the time. Anything that’s weird, around my house, or when I’m out, I’m into it. I’m on high alert,” he told the Guardian. During her tenure as environment minister, threats and harassment “started to go offline” and take place in public. Her campaign office was defaced. A man visited her office looking for McKenna and screaming at her staff. He found her when she was out with her family. “It’s really traumatic when we split it all up. That’s why I’m so mad right now. And I’m just saying it, because it’s really for my colleagues today, but also for all women in politics… We have to be serious, because someone can get killed, and that’s scary.” Spending on security for lawmakers has increased in the UK since the 2016 assassination of Jo Cox, when she was killed before meeting with constituents. And in the United States, the safety of public officials has become a greater focus since the 2011 shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and the failed terrorist plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier this summer, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said lawmakers would get panic buttons amid an increase in bullying and harassment. Mendicino himself had received death threats after a gun restriction bill. “We haven’t taken it seriously enough in Canada. A panic button is nothing serious,” McKenna said. “We have to look at models from other countries, where you have a dedicated agency whose express mandate is to protect people in high-profile positions.” After the Freeland incident, Medicino said his government was considering all possible options, including security for cabinet ministers and MPs. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality. Photo: Blair Gable/Reuters Growing partisanship and the echo chamber of social media have often been blamed for eroding civility, but Canada’s minister for women, gender equality and youth — who has spoken candidly about the racism she’s faced as a black woman in the media information – says members of visible minorities have long faced harassment and intimidation. “This has been an ongoing situation, and while it’s just coming to light maybe for some people now, the temperature has been quite high, for many of us, for a long time,” Marci Ien told the Guardian. “The idea that things are getting demonstrably worse – it’s always been very bad. It’s just that the people at whom the vitriol was hurled were not the deputy prime minister.” In recent weeks, the Canadian Association of Journalists has condemned a spate of attacks against female journalists, with much of the harassment targeting journalists’ race and ethnicity. Yen said her own broadcasting experience prepared her for the vitriol she faced as a cabinet minister. The decision to run for public office was “incredibly difficult” for her family, but the broader reckoning that unfolded in Canada after the death of George Floyd in the United States prompted her to run, she said. “Honestly, I wanted to be at the table. If you’re going to try to fix something or engage in a collaborative process, you have to be part of the system.” But Ien warned that the “despicable” attack on Freeland would have a broader effect on women and marginalized groups looking to enter politics and could make it harder for lawmakers to meet openly — and safely — with voters. “I love the conversations I can have on the streets with people. This is something we have in this country to be proud of,” he said. “But when you have that kind of violence, it’s an absolute deterrent for people – especially women. They’ll look at it and say, “Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to get involved?’ And that’s the problem, because we need everyone at the table.”

title: “Freeland Ambush Highlights Growing Threats To Women In Canadian Public Life Canada Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-25” author: “Maria Hudson”

Meetings with disgruntled voters have long been accepted as a reality of Canadian politics, but the tradition of friendly dialogue is increasingly replaced by racial slurs, threatening late-night phone calls and fears for the safety of politicians’ families. On a visit to rural Alberta on Friday, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was accosted by a large man who hurled insults at her and called her a “traitor.” The incident, now being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was quickly condemned by leaders of all parties. “Threats, violence, intimidation of any kind are always unacceptable, and this kind of cowardly behavior threatens and undermines our democracy, the values, transparency and respect that Canada was built on,” Trudeau said. on Monday. Freeland’s condemnation of the Alberta incident prompted other women to share their experiences of misogyny and racism while serving in public office. Jyoti Gondek, mayor of Calgary, recounted the “pain and fear” that comes with constant harassment. “During the 2017 municipal elections, a man called me to say he knew where I live and that I should be careful. He then confronted me personally in a public debate. He was about 6ft 2in, 200lbs,” he tweeted. “In an open area full of people, he confided in me that he had made that phone call and would see to it that I lose the election. Then he sat in the front row and watched me for the entire event.” Gondek, who immigrated from the UK to Canada, recounted incidents where she was called racially abusive and told to “go where [she] It came from”. “The cold reality is we all know the deputy prime minister will be targeted again. We know I will be targeted again,” he wrote. “All the stories shared by journalists and politicians should show you that it will happen again. And the next time it could lead to injury or death.” Former Environment Minister Kathryn McKenna said the “chilling” video of the incident in Alberta highlights the growing threats politicians face “when we’re just trying to do our jobs.” “I’m still nervous. I look over my shoulder all the time. Anything that’s weird, around my house, or when I’m out, I’m into it. I’m on high alert,” he told the Guardian. During her tenure as environment minister, threats and harassment “started to go offline” and take place in public. Her campaign office was defaced. A man visited her office looking for McKenna and screaming at her staff. He found her when she was out with her family. “It’s really traumatic when we split it all up. That’s why I’m so mad right now. And I’m just saying it, because it’s really for my colleagues today, but also for all women in politics… We have to be serious, because someone can get killed, and that’s scary.” Spending on security for lawmakers has increased in the UK since the 2016 assassination of Jo Cox, when she was killed before meeting with constituents. And in the United States, the safety of public officials has become a greater focus since the 2011 shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and the failed terrorist plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier this summer, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said lawmakers would get panic buttons amid an increase in bullying and harassment. Mendicino himself had received death threats after a gun restriction bill. “We haven’t taken it seriously enough in Canada. A panic button is nothing serious,” McKenna said. “We have to look at models from other countries, where you have a dedicated agency whose express mandate is to protect people in high-profile positions.” After the Freeland incident, Medicino said his government was considering all possible options, including security for cabinet ministers and MPs. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality. Photo: Blair Gable/Reuters Growing partisanship and the echo chamber of social media have often been blamed for eroding civility, but Canada’s minister for women, gender equality and youth — who has spoken candidly about the racism she’s faced as a black woman in the media information – says members of visible minorities have long faced harassment and intimidation. “This has been an ongoing situation, and while it’s just coming to light maybe for some people now, the temperature has been quite high, for many of us, for a long time,” Marci Ien told the Guardian. “The idea that things are getting demonstrably worse – it’s always been very bad. It’s just that the people at whom the vitriol was hurled were not the deputy prime minister.” In recent weeks, the Canadian Association of Journalists has condemned a spate of attacks against female journalists, with much of the harassment targeting journalists’ race and ethnicity. Yen said her own broadcasting experience prepared her for the vitriol she faced as a cabinet minister. The decision to run for public office was “incredibly difficult” for her family, but the broader reckoning that unfolded in Canada after the death of George Floyd in the United States prompted her to run, she said. “Honestly, I wanted to be at the table. If you’re going to try to fix something or engage in a collaborative process, you have to be part of the system.” But Ien warned that the “despicable” attack on Freeland would have a broader effect on women and marginalized groups looking to enter politics and could make it harder for lawmakers to meet openly — and safely — with voters. “I love the conversations I can have on the streets with people. This is something we have in this country to be proud of,” he said. “But when you have that kind of violence, it’s an absolute deterrent for people – especially women. They’ll look at it and say, “Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to get involved?’ And that’s the problem, because we need everyone at the table.”