Woolwich man arrested for alleged death threats to local MP
Waterloo regional police allege a man threatened death against a local member of parliament.
Members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) General Investigations Unit have charged a 44-year-old Woolwich man with uttering threats to cause death.
Regional police were contacted by the office of a local MP Thursday reporting online threats against them. As a result of the investigation, police located, arrested and charged a man from Woolwich Township Friday.
At this point, CTV News cannot confirm which MP the threats are believed to have targeted.
Former Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and CTV Public Safety Analyst Chris Lewis says threats like these aren’t uncommon, adding that online harassment, hate and threats toward politicians has been going on for decades.
"Back when I was commissioner, we started a unit then because of an increase of threats against provincial members of parliament," said Lewis."We put a unit together actually providing security in certain instances and to investigate threats and keep intelligence database on that so all that will be occurring as we speak."
He adds that, while the particular incident was handled appropriately by local police, it poses a concern, as there has been a noticeable uptick of threats and intimidating incidents in Ontario
"It's always been an issue, it's just until the last several years [there’s been] a lot of it because of some of the right wing and left wing extremists out there on the other side of border,” said Lewis. “A lot of that has bled into Canada and in fact, it has increased."
CTV News reached out to local MP’s in the area, but received no responses except for Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice.
While he was not involved in the incident, in a statement he says in part, “I’m really concerned by this, and my thoughts are with the MP and their family. As these incidents increase, I think it underscores the importance of all political parties turning down divisive rhetoric that whips up anger, focusing instead on respectful dialogue and a search for common ground.”
Police say it’s important for local MP’s to continue to have a long-established protocol when meeting with constituents or setting up gatherings in public spaces.
Regional police are advising members of parliament to assess their offices and encourage them to install alarms, camera and other security measures as necessary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.