Canadian MPs will now be equipped with alert buttons to directly notify law enforcement, the government announced on Tuesday after a new wave of harassment, intimidation and threats against politicians.
In unveiling the measure, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino said he had received death threats online in recent weeks, following the announcement of new gun regulations in the country.
“This situation is very worrying,” he said, adding that “negative and toxic rhetoric online can lead to violence.”
“It’s really important that we can have vigorous debates but they have to be conducted in a civil way and free from any kind of threats, intimidation and outright criminal behavior, which we see more and more online,” he said. he continued.
MPs can be equipped with this tool at all times and also have the possibility of following training courses to learn how to defuse situations presenting a risk of violence.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who received gravel in the face during a rally during the last election campaign, said on Tuesday that he was aware “that an ambient and significant degree of anger and frustration is directed against the government and against its members.
“We need to ensure that anyone serving the community at any level is safe,” he added.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com