RCMP is investigating after a man verbally attacked Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland during a visit to Alberta last week in the latest of a worsening spate of abuse against women in public roles.Sgt.
Caroline Duval from the national police force confirmed in a statement Tuesday that investigators are looking into the incident, adding that the force “takes threats against public officials seriously.”“Physical action and statements made in person or online can have a significant impact and can be against the law.
When the threshold for a criminal charge is met, the RCMP or the police of jurisdiction may arrest and lay charges,” Duval said in the statement.“If the criminal threshold is not met, the RCMP examines the threats and derogatory comments from an intelligence perspective.
The RCMP has a highly skilled intelligence function dedicated to protective policing. Generally, only in the event that an investigation results in the laying of criminal charges, would the RCMP confirm its investigation, the nature of any charges laid and the identity of the individual (s) involved.” Growing harassment of Canadian public figures a ‘threat to democracy’: minister She added that Canadian members of Parliament can receive RCMP protection “as needed” but that the force could not comment on whether such protection was being provided to Freeland.A video clip of the incident was posted on social media on Friday, and showed a man approaching Freeland while she walked into an elevator at city hall in Grande Prairie, Alta.