security
Due to increasing threats: MPs in Canada receive emergency buttons
After proposing new gun laws, he received death threats: Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino.
© Patrick Doyle / empics / Picture Alliance
Members of Parliament in Canada are being given mobile emergency devices that they can use to call the police. This is a reaction to the increasing violence against politicians, according to the Minister for Public Security.
Canadian MPs are being given “panic buttons” that they can use to call security or the police in an emergency. This is in response to increasing harassment, intimidation and threats of violence, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino said on Tuesday (local time). Mendicino had himself received death threats online in recent weeks after proposing new gun laws.
More safety for MPs in Canada
With the mobile emergency devices, the police can be notified throughout Canada. They should offer MPs and their employees more security. Parliament’s security service also offers them training to de-escalate violent situations.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of “anger and frustration” directed against the government and officials, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “We must ensure that everyone who serves the community politically is safe.”
Rocked Trudeau during campaign appearance
Trudeau had stones thrown at him during campaign appearances in September last year – even though he was surrounded by security forces. He reported of demonstrators who “were practically foaming at the mouth, they were so angry with me”. There were also racist and misogynistic comments.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of a small left-wing party, was insulted and threatened by an angry crowd outside an event last month. The incident had upset him very much, it was “one of the worst experiences” he had ever had, Singh said afterwards.
“The situation is very worrying,” Mendicino said. The “very negative and toxic rhetoric” on the Internet could lead to violence. “We need a space where we can have lively debates without insults, near-physical attacks and incitement to violence and death threats,” he said.