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Spitting, stalkers, and death threats: a ‘routine’ part of being a politician, say MPs

There's a growing toxicity against public figures. Harassment and hate have been on the rise against federal MPs for years now. MPs have been harassed, threatened, stalked, sworn at, accosted, spat at, and worse. Many MPs have formed informal support groups across party lines to share their stories. This is the first of a three-part series looking into the increasing anger towards modern-day federal politicians, why it's happening, and what can be done to stop it. Exclusive feature story.

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BY CHELSEA NASH, MIKE LAPOINTE
October 31, 2022

News | BY CHELSEA NASH, MIKE LAPOINTE | October 31, 2022

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There's no easy solution around confronting the uptick in hate and harassment directed towards Parliamentarians. But after this steady ramp-up, MPs, Senators, and insiders talk about what can be done to change the tone.

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There's no easy solution around confronting the uptick in hate and harassment directed towards Parliamentarians. But after this steady ramp-up, MPs, Senators, and insiders talk about what can be done to change the tone.

Despite boosted security measures in recent years, MPs say ‘weaknesses’ in systems of support remain

NewsBY CHELSEA NASH

Adapting security resources and supports for MPs is an 'ongoing process' says Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino who has had a death threat. NDP MP Charlie Angus, who had a stalker, says he doesn’t find the resources available to him as an MP to be of much use. Many MPs agree.

Despite boosted security measures in recent years, MPs say ‘weaknesses’ in systems of support remain

NewsBY CHELSEA NASH

Adapting security resources and supports for MPs is an 'ongoing process' says Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino who has had a death threat. NDP MP Charlie Angus, who had a stalker, says he doesn’t find the resources available to him as an MP to be of much use. Many MPs agree.

Some of the MPs who have experienced hate and harassment. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, top left, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, NDP MP Jenny Kwan, NDP MP Charlie Angus, middle row, left, Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal MP Judy Sgro, Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi, bottom row, left, Independent MP Kevin Vuong, and Liberal MP Jenica Atwin. *The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photographs*

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Some 25 MPs, Senators promise to ‘call out abuse and harassment’ in Parliament this fall

Social media regulation, better police co-ordination key to resolving increasingly toxic, hateful political environment, say experts

Despite boosted security measures in recent years, MPs say ‘weaknesses’ in systems of support remain

‘The hate MPs get’ story sheds light on our very sorry, vulgar state of affairs, writes Ottawa reader

‘We’re prepared to step in’: church occupants readying ‘private security force,’ deny convoy links as community groups push back

Some 25 MPs, Senators promise to ‘call out abuse and harassment’ in Parliament this fall

Some 25 MPs, Senators promise to ‘call out abuse and harassment’ in Parliament this fall

Social media regulation, better police co-ordination key to resolving increasingly toxic, hateful political environment, say experts

Social media regulation, better police co-ordination key to resolving increasingly toxic, hateful political environment, say experts

Despite boosted security measures in recent years, MPs say ‘weaknesses’ in systems of support remain

Despite boosted security measures in recent years, MPs say ‘weaknesses’ in systems of support remain

‘The hate MPs get’ story sheds light on our very sorry, vulgar state of affairs, writes Ottawa reader

‘The hate MPs get’ story sheds light on our very sorry, vulgar state of affairs, writes Ottawa reader

‘We’re prepared to step in’: church occupants readying ‘private security force,’ deny convoy links as community groups push back

‘We’re prepared to step in’: church occupants readying ‘private security force,’ deny convoy links as community groups push back

In-Depth Features

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2024

Poilievre voted best public speaker, most quotable, hardest-working, and biggest self-promoter in The Hill Times’ 29th Annual Politically Savvy Survey

U.S. election preoccupies Canada’s top 50 foreign influencers as feds’ focus gets pulled from Asia strategy

The 100 most influential people in federal politics and government to watch in 2024

The Hill Times’ 100 Best Books of 2023

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