The incident with Jagmeet Singh Peterborough was filmed on video

Provincial election rally in Peterborough, Ont. ended with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh receiving a wave of insults and harassment as he left.

Singh was in the area on Tuesday to promote Ontario NDP candidate Jen Deck, who is running for Peterborough Riding Cavarta.

As he made his way to his jeep, Singh was greeted by a wave of curses from a waiting group of protesters who accused the federal leader of being a “traitor.”

He seemed calm and indifferent during verbal attacks up close and close.

In a statement issued after the incident, Singh said he knew the attack was not representative of the Peterborough people.

“I have visited many times and I know that your community is full of good people who want the best for each other,” the statement said.

Singh went on to say that “politicians need to remember the consequences when inciting fear and division.”

“When hatred is given room to grow, it spreads like wildfire,” Singh added.

Police in Peterborough assessed the incident the next day, calling it “discouraging”, but said they had not received service calls related to the protest.

A group of protesters is standing up to NDP leader Jagmit Singh during a campaign suspension in Ontario, Peterborough. (FREEDOM THROUGH UNITY – Peterborough / Kavarta / Facebook)

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horvat said Singh tackled the “hatred” he received with “grace” in a Twitter post Wednesday.

Horvat went on to say that Singh and candidate Dek deserved to live and work freely, “without intimidation.”

Personal computer candidate Dave Smith, who has been riding since 2018, responded to Singh’s statement, saying he was “always welcome” at Peterborough and invited the leader and his family to a barbecue.

This is not the first time a federal leader has been met with hostility during the election campaign.

Ahead of the 2021 federal election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was covered in gravel at a bus stop in London, Ont. on Sept. 6

Trudeau said he was not injured during the attack. Police accused 25-year-old Shane Marshall of St. Thomas days later of a charge of assault with a weapon in connection with the incident.