West, who was not related to the statute, claims the man also threatened his wife and two young children. “My son is five years old, my other son is 15 months old. They have nothing to do with anything that could ever happen in the city,” West said. “There is nothing more important to me in this world than my wife and my two little boys. And my first responsibility is to love and protect them. So I took that very seriously.” Coquitlam RCMP say the man, William Arthur Jones, was arrested and a replica gun was seized. Jones was charged with one count of threats, according to the K.K.E. Prosecutor’s Office. He pleaded guilty last week. West’s experience is an example of the rising tide of harassment, both in person and online, that city and county officials say they face. For the past two years, Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott says a well-funded, anonymous social media campaign has targeted her office, spreading misinformation. At this year’s Union of K.K.E. Municipalities, the topic of politicians addressing threats and harassment in person and through social media was a common theme. (Ben Nelms/CBC) People came up to her and shouted in her face and yelled at her from their vehicles while she was walking with her child, she says. While harassment isn’t the primary reason she’s stepping down from the position — which she held for eight years — it played a role, she says. “I would say my family is not sorry to see me step back,” Elliott said. More frightening, he adds, is how it has discouraged others from seeking a role in municipal politics. “I’ve asked a lot of women over the last 18 months to think about running for council and the response I got was ‘Look what’s happening to you. Why should I do this;”
“There’s a fear… that wasn’t there before”
Provincial officials are no strangers to the blurred lines of criticism and harassment. BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau recalls how a man once followed her in a car while she was walking her dog, telling her she was responsible for killing children because she supports the COVID-19 vaccine. “There is a fear that has been introduced into politics that wasn’t there before,” he said. WATCHES | Deputy Premier Chrystia Freeland was harassed in Alberta
Alberta man hurls profanity at Chrystia Freeland, sparking outrage on social media
In a video widely circulated on social media, several people can be seen approaching Freeland as she walks through Grande Prairie City Hall toward an elevator. On another occasion, she says, her constituency office was raided by a group of people who asked to see her, leaving staff scared and uncomfortable in their workplace. “There really should be no tolerance for harassment or intimidation of elected officials or the media,” he said. “We need a system where people can feel confident that they are safe to do their jobs.” Harassment can also target loved ones of politicians. When Premier John Horgan posted a family photo on social media, he said the comments section was quickly filled with “venom”. “Completely unrelated to anything other than ‘This is an opportunity to tell John Horgan and anyone associated with him that I hate you and everything about you,’” he said. Horgan says he understands people are angry and frustrated, but that shouldn’t give way to toxicity. He admits he has heard from many elected officials who have decided to resign because of the abuse. BC Premier John Horgan says the level of harassment faced by elected officials is alarming. (Ben Nelms/CBC) “For those who leave because of this disdain, I hope they reflect on the countless number of people who just get on with their lives and say, ‘I’m glad you’re doing it because somebody’s got to.’ “ All the politicians CBC spoke to for this story say addressing abuse, not just brushing it aside and accepting it as part of the job, is key. In a statement, the Department of Municipal Affairs said there is no place for intimidation or threats towards elected officials or any member of the public and any threatening or potentially violent behavior should be reported to local police.
