The deputy of St. John’s East, Joanne Thompson, is one of several politicians who have used a panic button for personal security issues. (Ted Dillon / CBC)
A Newfoundland and Labrador federal MP says she is grateful to wear a government-issued panic button as threats and harassment of politicians in Canada increase.
The deputy of St. John’s East, Joanne Thompson, is one of several members who have used the buttons, also called mobile coercion alarms, in recent months. Buttons alert the Parliamentary Protection Service or local police of a security issue when pressed.
Although Thompson said he didn’t have to use the button while working at St. John’s often takes him to Ottawa.
“In the early fall, shortly after the election, I had a worrying meeting with a constituency voter. And it was at that point that I saw the panic button and I was very grateful for that,” Thompson said. and CBC News. Thursday.
“I was in Ottawa when I used it most often. You know, walking to work in the dark, going back in the dark. It was an extra precaution, so I’m grateful for that.”
Thompson said most of his concerns come from emails and social media, and said the rhetoric of others has intensified in recent months. Other MPs have shared stories of harassment, death threats and dangerous messages that made them use a panic button.
When asked about how safe she feels at her job, Thompson said she is not allowed to think like that.
“I don’t participate back and forth on social media … and I really don’t want to travel down the path where I start to question my safety,” he said. “People who are sending these messages, I think that’s what they want.”
Police panic buttons like these are used to alert law enforcement when politicians feel they are in imminent danger. (Steve Lawrence / CBC)
Scott Matthews, an associate professor of political science at Memorial University, says the increased use of panic buttons is probably a response to how people feel about the current state of Canadian politics as it increases. tension between the parties.
“People who like a party or feel close to one of the parties tend to feel very distant and very negative towards other parties. This is especially the case between liberals and conservatives or between new democrats and conservatives. They don’t really like it. In a way that wasn’t the case in the past, “Matthews told CBC News.
Matthews says he has seen this trend go through waves in recent decades, but adds that COVID-19 policy has amplified the discord in the short term.
He believes it could continue when it comes to future elections, especially in areas where racing is more controversial.
Although we disagree in politics, there are many things we have in common. Lots of things we share – Scott Matthews
Asked what could be done to address the general problem of growing threats, Thompson said she believes it starts in the classroom.
“We need to create a change in the way we access the news, how we question the sources … and also how we talk to each other,” he said. “Respecting issues, and personal and public safety issues. How we behave plays an important role in achieving that.”
MUN Associate Professor Scott Matthews says panic buttons are not a real solution to the problem of increasing threats on the political landscape. (Mark Quinn / CBC)
Matthews says things can be done by politicians at the center of the issue, especially when it comes to using hateful rhetoric.
It’s one thing to disagree, he said, but it’s another to suggest that disagreement creates enemies in politics.
“Panic buttons and, in general, a kind of protecting our political system from conflict, are not a kind of solution. In fact, that is the sign of a problem,” he said.
“What we need to do is find ways to reduce heated rhetoric and depolarize our political system … Even if we don’t agree with politics, there are many things we have in common. Many things we share. “.
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