He wasn’t first out of the blocks but Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has joined the chorus of politicians condemning a verbal, in person, attack on Chrystia Freeland. Moe says in a Tweet that the Deputy Prime Minister always takes time to listen to Canadians and that one can respectfully disagree with people that are elected, but this is not the way to do it.
Politicians are condemning harassment Chrystia Freeland experienced Friday when she was verbally harassed and called names while getting into an elevator on a visit to Grand Prairie. The Deputy Prime Minister, as part of her summer Get-out-of-Ottawa tour was on a visit to Grande Prairie in her home province of Alberta.
MP Dan Albas said he had just witnessed an alarming video and that intimidation in a threatening manner against elected officials is totally unacceptable. Albas, in his tweet says, “What our Deputy PM experienced yesterday has no place here in Canada. We want & need more women in office. This is not the way.”
Minister of National Defence Anita Anand tweeted, “I’m appalled by the threats and intimidation directed at my colleague @cafreeland yesterday. This behaviour has no place in Canada. We’ve all run for office to promote dialogue on important public policy issues, and harassment like this cannot be tolerated.”
Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion of Canada, said she was disgusted by what her colleague faced Friday.
” We can’t let this kind of behaviour become the norm. It’s so wrong, and so bad for our democracy and country.”
Alberta’s Jason Kenney said, “The verbal harassment and threats directed at Minister @cafreeland during her visit to Alberta yesterday were reprehensible. If you disagree with a politician, by all means exercise your right to protest. But screaming threatening language & physical intimidation cross the line.”
And it is not just politicians throwing their support behind Freeland. Blackfoot/Lakota First Nations, also on Twitter, said the Deputy Prime Minister showed absolute grace and class while being verbally attacked.
Well known in Saskatchewan is Tuffnell area farmer Quick Mick McDick who said he wouldn’t post the video because he doesn’t want to give the individual who verbally abused Freeland what he wants. However, the popular Youtuber said the verbal barrage was unacceptable and while he is no fan of the federal government, it was a disgusting display of behavior.
Meanwhile, Saturday, Chrystia Freeland responded issuing a statement on social media.
“I’m Proud to be from Alberta. And I am very happy to be spending a few days in the Peace Country. I’m going to keep coming back because Alberta is home, and because I want to keep meeting with Albertans from across this great province and visiting my friends and family here. What happened yesterday was wrong. Nobody, anywhere, should have to put up with threats and intimidation. But the Alberta I know is filled with kind and welcoming people, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received from so many people in Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Peace River over the past few days. One unpleasant incident yesterday doesn’t change that.”
