The RCMP is reportedly investigating the incident of the weekend when Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was accosted in Alberta by a man who called her a traitor and repeatedly yelled profanity at her.
The widely-circulated video shows Freeland arriving inside the city hall building in Grande Prairie, Alta., on Friday and being confronted by the man as she approached and entered an elevator.
“The RCMP is investigating the incident Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland experienced and takes threats against public officials seriously,” RCMP headquarters spokesperson Robin Percival was reported to say.
An Alberta-based RCMP spokesperson would not confirm an investigation on Saturday.
At the time of the incident, Freeland was on a multi-day tour of Saskatchewan and Alberta, meeting with officials, businesspeople and workers.
In a tweet Saturday, she condemned the incident.
“Nobody, anywhere, should have to put up with threats and intimidation,” Freeland wrote.
“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.”
Politicians across the country have condemned the actions in the video.
Calling the incident extremely disturbing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there have been increased frequencies of episodes of harassment and threats against women, people of colour and members of other minority groups especially those in high-profile roles, such as politicians and journalists.
#RCMP; #investigation; #ChrystiaFreeland
