22 election candidates were provided private security by the federal government
OTTAWA — The federal government provided private security for close protection or to guard the home of 22 candidates in the last federal election amid a rise in threats and intimidation towards politicians.
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Throughout the campaign, 15 candidates were granted private security service that acted as their bodyguard during campaign events or daily activities, Privy Council Office (PCO) spokesperson Daniel Savoie told National Post.
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Another two were provided home monitoring services by an unarmed guard, while five met the threshold to receive both services, Savoie said.
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This was the first federal election during which the federal government offered private security services to candidates. The program was geared toward politicians who believe their security is at risk during the campaign but where the level of threat does not meet the threshold for police protection.
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To be eligible, candidates had to have been physically attacked, had their property targeted by protesters or vandalized, felt threatened by a 'disruptive, uninvited individual' at home, or had their personal information posted on the internet, for example.
Former CSIS national security analyst Stephanie Carvin said she was surprised by how many candidates applied to receive additional private security from a program that was announced right as the election campaign began.
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'I'm glad that resource is there, but it's unfortunate that it's needed,' said Carvin, now an associate professor at Carleton University.
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'Individuals who are upset with the politics or politicians are increasingly willing to physically confront the people they see as adversaries or with different point of views. Rather than challenging their ideas, they want to physically confront them,' Carvin added.
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Savoie declined to identify which candidates were granted additional security or which party they represented over concerns it could compromise their safety.
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