OTTAWA –
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has canceled plans to appear in person at a liberal fundraiser in British Columbia on Tuesday after the RCMP warned that an aggressive protest outside the event could escalate if he arrives, a source close to the decision said.
The source spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
Trudeau addressed the issue on Wednesday during a stop in Saskatoon, which was also attended by protesters who were verbally aggressive with the prime minister’s RCMP defense unit and initially blocked his exit from a local elderly center.
The prime minister did not explain why he chose to speak virtually with fundraisers in Surrey, British Columbia, but expressed disgust at the “harassment, racist insults (and threats of violence)” targeted at mostly South Asian participants when they arrived.
Witnesses to the protest say they have heard visitors harassed for wearing turbans, among other racially motivated insults. A protester is seen in a photo wearing a noose hanging on two flat sticks printed with the words “betrayal” and “Trudeau”.
“The safety of Canadians who choose to have their voices heard in politics should never be questioned, as they were last night and as we see more and more across the country,” Trudeau said.
“The fundamental freedoms we have as a country that we enjoy as Canadians must be protected, they must be protected. No one should feel threatened or harassed because of their support for one political party or another. And that’s something I think you all need to be vigilant about. “
He said all levels of government are currently considering the issue.
This is the second time in 10 months that aggressive protesters have prompted police to advise Trudeau to change his plan to speak at an event. A pre-election rally in Bolton, Ont., Was canceled last August when dozens of violent protesters chanted obscene words at the prime minister’s office.
He was followed by angry protesters for most of this campaign, which caused some noticeable changes in the way his office handles his schedule. Specific event venues are no longer included in his published daily itineraries, for example.
In the first days of the convoy protest in Ottawa in January and February, Trudeau and his family were evacuated from their home in the city for several days.
Other leaders, including NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and the Quebec Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanche, said they received RCMP protection during the convoy when they were in Ottawa.
A request for access to information, published by the Secret Council Office, shows that between February 5 and March 23, 26 threats against Trudeau and eight of the ministers in his cabinet were registered. Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland were the subject of nine threats each during this period.
The nature of the threats or investigative actions are not included in the Communication.
The RCMP in British Columbia said in a statement on Tuesday that the protest group had started small but had grown to be joined by cars, larger trucks and tow trucks “traveling in a convoy-style circle around the road”. .
“Due to the size and composition of the protest group and the safety of all those present, it was decided that it was not safe for the prime minister to be present,” the RCMP said in a statement.
A government source speaking to The Canadian Press said he feared Trudeau’s presence would increase the crowd and put everyone present at greater risk.
The prime minister’s office and the RCMP have jointly decided to cancel Trudeau’s personal appearance, the source said.
Trudeau is not alone, followed by more aggressive protesters. In Peterborough, Ont., Two weeks ago, Singh was chased to his car in front of a provincial NDP campaign office.
In Montreal on Wednesday, Justice Minister David Lametti temporarily left a press conference in front of his office when he came across anti-Israel protesters shouting in his face. Lametti returned when the protester left.
– With files from Camille Baines in Vancouver and Mickey Djurich in Saskatoon
This Canadian Press report was first published on May 25, 2022.
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