Calgary Conservative candidate says she too is being targeted by aggressive election protestors
One Calgary candidate says the vitriol Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has been experiencing along the campaign trail isn't reserved for any one candidate or party.
Police had to get involved during a Trudeau stop-off in Ontario Sunday morning.
It's a sign of growing tensions across Canada as the federal vote draws closer -- and something Calgary Nose Hill candidate Michelle Rempel Garner says she knows about all too well.
In a statement posted after Friday's Liberal event cancellation, Rempel Garner said she's recently been cornered on the street and has received death threats online.
A recent video has even surfaced on social media showing the long-time politician and her husband confronted inside a restaurant booth.
Rempel Garner says it's just one example of less-than-ideal interactions with some members of the public.
"This sadly this is not 'super rare,'" her statement said. "It’s unfortunately an all too frequent occurrence for me and many of my colleagues, particularly women, of all political stripe. And this increase in violent language, threats, and abuse certainly isn't confined to politics.
"After some recent experiences, I know it's getting worse."
Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt says he thinks many of the protestors are upset over COVID-19 health restrictions and talk of mandatory vaccinations.
"These are people who have been protesting and demonstrating for about a year and a half across the country -- in some cases quite violently -- and now it's coming together during an election," Bratt said. "It's not one party, and the reason I say that is because the same protesters have attacked (Conservative premiers) Doug Ford and Jason Kenney. Not the same group of people, but the same concept has been going on," he said.
Support for both Rempel Garner and Trudeau has poured in from members of the public and from other candidates.
The former says action should be taken so political candidates are not in danger. She's calling for legislation that enhances the chance of prosecution for criminal harassment.
"We're dealing with a minority, but a very vocal minority that has been organizing," Bratt said.
Both politicians have recently enhanced their security.
Canadians go to the polls on Sept. 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.