Joan Thompson of the St. John's East MP was one of the members who used the button in recent months to raise safety concerns to the Congressional Protection Services or local police. I'm warning you. Was pushed.
Parliamentarians in Newfoundland and Labrador are in a state of government-issued panic as threats and harassment towards politicians increase. He says he is grateful to have the button in Canada.
Joanne Thompson of the St. John's East MP is one of several members in recent months when used the button (also known as mobile obsessive-compulsive alert). At the push of a button, warns parliamentary protection services or local police of safety concerns.
Thompson said he didn't need to use the button while working in St. John's, but he could carry the button while he was in Ottawa. Often.
"Shortly after the election, early in the fall, I had a worrisome encounter with a member on horseback. And at that point I saw a panic button, and I It was pretty good and I'm grateful for that. "
"I was in Ottawa was when I used it most often. As you know, walking to work in the dark And came back in the dark. So I'm grateful for it. "
Thompson said most of her concerns came from email and social media. He said that others' rhetoric has intensified in recent months. Other MPs share stories of harassment, murder threats, and dangerous messages that caused them to use the panic button. When asked about how safe he feels at his job,
Thompson said he did not allow himself to think that way.
"I don't go back and forth on social media ... And I don't really want to travel the way I'm skeptical of my safety," she said. "People sending those messages, I think that's what they want."
Scott Matthews, an associate professor of political science at Memorial University, said the increasing use of panic buttons is how people feel about the present. The state of Canada's politics amid heightened tensions among political parties, saying it is likely to be a reaction to the professor.
"People who like one party or feel close to one party tend to feel very far and very negative from the other party, especially liberal {134. } And between the Conservatives or the New Party. Democrats and Conservatives. They really hate each other in ways they didn't in the past, "Matthews told CBC News.
Matthews says he saw the trend experiencing waves in recent decades, but the politics of COVID-19 is in the short term. Amplified discord .
He believes that future elections may continue, especially in areas where race is more controversial.
Even if you don't agree with the policy, there are many things in common. Many things we share.-Scott Matthews
Asked about what can be done to tackle the comprehensive issue of heightened threat, Thompson said he believes it starts in the classroom.
"We need to make a difference in how we access news, ask sources, and talk to each other," she said. "The issue of respect, and the issue of personal and public security. How we act plays an important role in achieving that."
Matthews says that the politician at the center of the problem can do things, especially when it comes to the use of hateful rhetoric.
Opposition is one thing, but opposition is another, suggesting that it creates an enemy in politics.
"A panic button, and more generally something like protecting our political system from conflict, is not a solution of any kind. It's actually a sign of a problem," he said. Told.
"What we have to do is find a way to reduce the heated rhetoric and depolarize the political system ... even if we don't agree with the policy. We have a lot in common. Many things we share. "
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