Liberal MP wants ‘protective zones’ for constituency offices

Alex Dhaliwal
  |   July 19, 2024   |   Be the first to comment

A Liberal MP wants the Trudeau government to legislate “protective zones” around constituency offices, amid growing threats against elected officials.

MP Marco Mendicino, formerly the public safety minister, wants a buffer zone upwards of 100 metres. Those who contravene could face jail time.

Mendicino told The Canadian Press these zones, if approved, would be part of regulations from Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference. It received Royal Assent on June 20.

“We have to take parliamentary security more seriously,” he said. “We need to open our eyes and recognize that political violence is … happening in our communities.”

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme raised similar concerns in an interview with The Canadian Press last month. Examples include the vandalism of Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s Montreal office.

Windows were smashed and walls were painted on, causing “major damage.” Miller called this a “criminal act.” Montreal police reported no arrests on July 18 morning.

MP Mendicino says that while people have constitutional rights to express their views, points of contention cannot lead to threats, intimidation or harassment. He has received “a barrage of death threats.” A man recently spat on the member of Parliament in Ottawa.

With more and more elected officials facing threats, according to government data, Commissioner Duheme said most cases do not result in criminal charges.

On legislating additional Criminal Code provisions, Justice Minister Arif Virani said current provisions were sufficient.

The comments follow the attempted assassination of U.S. Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump, at a Pennsylvania rally. He escaped death Saturday after being clipped on his right ear.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc received a prompt security briefing from the RCMP and Canadian Intelligence soon after. He did not divulge those discussions.

LeBlanc told reporters the Trudeau government bolstered RCMP funding to ensure they have “all the tools necessary and the people necessary.”

Over the 2022/23 fiscal year, the agency spent $1.8 million to protect MPs from $1.3 million the year prior. Security costs could surpass $3.4 million this fiscal year.

The RCMP typically protects political party leaders only during election campaigns. Backbench MPs and parliamentary secretaries usually don't receive RCMP protection.

MP Mendicino urged his colleagues to press social media companies to do more against online harassment. He worries “that the trends are all moving in the wrong direction,” pledging to fight this issue to prevent further political violence.

“Politicians need to look in the mirror themselves,” the MP said, noting it isn’t “particularly helpful” to point fingers at each other. “I think we’ve got a collective responsibility to raise the bar of political debate.”

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