Kitchener man charged with uttering threats toward Trudeau at campaign stop in Cambridge
A 32-year-old Kitchener resident has been charged in connection with threats made toward Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during a campaign stop in Cambridge, Ont.
The charges appear to be the first laid in Canada for an incident along Trudeau's campaign trail, which has been rife with protests.
Trudeau was in Cambridge on Aug. 29 when the alleged threats occurred.
According to a release, Waterloo regional police launched an investigation on Aug. 31 into alleged threats toward Trudeau after viewing video of the event, speaking to witnesses and receiving information from the RCMP.
A Kitchener man has been arrested and charged with two counts of uttering threats.
"The alleged threats occurred from a live video that was taken at the event," said Cst. Ashley Dietrich with Waterloo regional police. "I can't speak to any specifics of the threats that were made, however, they did describe harm and/or death to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau."
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
"Everybody does have a right to a peaceful protest, but we encourage people to do it in a peaceful manner," Dietrich said. "Any time where uttering threats toward a person or their property is made, and where people can be identified, criminal charges will be laid."
Groups of protestors shouting obscenities, brandishing the middle finger and carrying sometimes graphic signs have become a mainstay at most of Trudeau's campaign stops in recent weeks.
In Cambridge, the Liberal Leader was met with crowds of protesters sounding air sirens and chanting "lock him up."
That came just days after a Trudeau campaign event in the Greater Toronto Area had to be cancelled after police said unruly protesters posed a security threat.
Both Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh denounced those protests.
On Monday, at a campaign stop in London, Ont., protesters threw gravel at Trudeau. London police have said they are investigating the incident.
Trudeau has called the protestors "anti-vaxxer mobs," adding he "can't back down" on his election campaign.
With files from CTV Kitchener's Jeff Pickel, CTV News and The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.