Crossing the line

Politics is a thankless job. Constituents think they own every moment of your day, from the Tim Hortons where you’re picking up a coffee, to the grocery store, to nights out with your spouse. That’s part of what politicians sign up for. But there are limits between the intrusive and the threatening — and those limits are being overstepped far too often, and all too often against female politicians.

The National Post said that there were 412 reported incidents involving Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, 26 of which were forwarded to police. Before that, and before social media were being monitored, there were only 55 security incidents in the years 2003-2015.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Finance Minister Cathy Bennett called a meeting of news media to outline the threats and offensive material she receives.

In Alberta, MLA Sandra Jansen left the Progressive Conservatives after enduring threatening and abusive attacks at a party policy convention.

Think it’s all just talk, just angry constituents blowing off steam? Think again.

Our legislators have to defend their actions. That doesn’t mean, male or female, they have to take your abuse.