Guarding democracy is a cornerstone of government stability. Gabriel Lerno, the first threat specialist at the RCMP, underscores the growing challenges posed by increased political violence against politicians in Canada. Over recent years, the frequency and severity of threats have surged, reflecting a dangerous trend that could hinder democratic processes.
Lerno identifies key behavioral indicators that suggest a potential evolution from online threats to actual violence. Specific tools are used to analyze patterns of behavior, over time allowing professionals to predict when an individual might transition from verbal hostility to making concrete threats. The importance of recognizing these red flags is critical in the proactive approach taken to safeguard political figures.
The alarmingly high number of threats documented indicates a serious crisis. The jump from 8 threat files in 2019 to over 530 in 2023 demonstrates the scale of the issue. Commentators are now calling for greater legislative and social action to respond to this increase in aggressive behavior, underscoring the necessity of protecting Canadian democracy from extremist actions.
In a startling revelation, Canadian politicians are facing unprecedented threats, both physical and verbal. Gabriel Lerno, the RCMP's first threat specialist in the Protective Behavioral Analysis Unit, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding democracy amidst rising political violence. With reports indicating a dramatic increase in protection requests from MPs, ministers, cabinet officials, and senators, Lerno's expertise sheds light on the alarming trend of hate and aggression directed towards political figures in Canada. The protective behavioral analysis unit under Lerno's guidance actively analyzes potential threats, pinpointing specific behaviors that raise red flags. Homicidal fantasies and suicidal ideation are two primary indicators that Lerno identifies as warning signs that may escalate into physical danger. He elaborates on the process of evaluating individuals deemed to pose a risk, asserting that even those assigned a low-risk designation are not entirely free from danger. The observed rise in ideologically motivated violence and politically charged threats underscores the critical nature of Lerno's role in proactively addressing these issues. Further delving into the numbers, the House of Commons has seen a staggering increase in threats, rising by 700-800% over the past five years. In 2019, there were only eight files on threats against MPs, whereas in 2023, this number soared to 530. Lerno provides evidence of disturbing threats received by Canadian politicians, often laced with graphic language and extreme ideology. This trend of harassment, combined with misinformation and disinformation circulating online, reflects the broader national conversation about political extremism and the need for protective measures in safeguarding elected officials. As Canada grapples with the implications of this rise in extremism, Lerno's work is more crucial than ever. As he works to decode threats and provide safety to political figures, the responsibility to maintain a dialogue about democracy and its protection remains in the hands of constituents and lawmakers alike. Understanding these threats and addressing the root causes is key to fostering a healthier political environment in Canada.Politicians are lucky they arent being threatened more. What they did to Canadians is disgusting
Dont be a crappy politician. Easy as that. If your doing your job, why would you have to worry
The future of this is absolutely disgusting, a violation of our rights. You can parade it all you want as protecting politicians, or preventing homicide or suicide but we all know how this is going to develop. 1984 đź’Ż
you need to ask the question, why are Canadian people so angry with Canadian politicians?
Waste more tax dollars, you dont need this program you just need to get ride of JT and this DEPT will be twiddling there thumbs.
Threats, violence, all of it should always be unacceptable, period. That said, Trudeau and his government have blatantly lied, falsely vilified many, and acted unlawfully on numerous occasions, at historic levels. That behaviour in no way justifies violence but they’re far from innocent victims, often contributing to the anger and frustration. They’ve never “turned down the temperature” but often exploited divisiveness for political gain. Law enforcement has also been heavily exploited by them that seriously erodes public confidence, that’s already a constant challenge for policing at the best of times. The media should focus on truth, facts, and political accountability for ALL politicians, instead of political loyalty if they truly care and want to recover the credibility they gave up for Liberal favouritism.
If our politicians werent WEF Davos raging leftists in our capitalist Christian dominant democracy spewing inflammatory language and policies, this would not be happening.
