The service in charge of keeping Parliament Hill safe says it has significantly stepped up security following a confrontation between NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and protesters — but one Liberal MP says it’s still not enough.
Pam Damoff, parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs, asked Sergeant-at-Arms Patrick McDonnell in a letter on Wednesday to boost security even more.
“I feel unsafe, and I am worried that someone is going to be seriously injured,” said Damoff in the letter, which was obtained by CBC News.
“The level of harassment towards Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff is clearly increasing, and I do not find security to be acceptable.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confronted protesters outside Parliament Hill after one of them called him a ‘corrupted bastard.’
Damoff cited the House of Commons’ workplace harassment and violence policy, which states that all members, their employees and administration have a responsibility to foster a work environment free of harassment and violence.
She also suggested Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) officers could protect parliamentarians physically by forming a line between them and aggressive individuals.
Since the fall sitting of the House of Commons began on Monday, anti-government demonstrators have been gathering daily in the Parliamentary precinct, largely on Wellington Street in front of the main entrance MPs use to access West Block.
Two protesters got up close to Singh on Tuesday. The NDP leader confronted the men after someone accused him of being a “corrupted bastard.” The incident took place just outside the doors of West Block, as PPS officers looked on.
The PPS said it’s aware of the ongoing situation and is continuously monitoring threats and events.
“As such, PPS has significantly adjusted its security posture on Parliament Hill and within the Parliamentary Precinct, and is ready to intervene as required,” the service said in a statement to CBC News.
On Wednesday, PPS officers were walking MPs across Wellington Street and checking Hill passes thoroughly before letting anyone enter the vicinity of West Block.
Just before question period Wednesday, a PPS officer ran after an individual wearing headphones who slipped through security.
In her letter, Damoff said she appreciates the enhanced presence of PPS officers but argued MPs should not be put in high-risk situations where they have to wade through crowds of protesters to get to work.
She also called the PPS’s suggestion that parliamentarians use alternate access points to Parliament Hill unacceptable.
“While the House of Commons requires all visitors to go through rigorous security screening to access the Parliament to ensure the safety of everyone, on the street we are entirely vulnerable,” Damoff said.
PPS is a separate law enforcement agency. While it’s responsible for security on Parliament Hill, Wellington Street is outside of its jurisdiction.
The RCMP is responsible for the protection of Canadian dignitaries; it has reported that the number of MPs asking for RCMP security has doubled within the last five years.
Damoff has cited an increase in harassment, threats and misogyny as the reason she’s not running in the next federal election and is leaving politics altogether.
NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice said security for leaders of federal political parties and ministers should be tightened.
He also said a balance must be struck between managing the right to protest and keeping people safe.
“I want Parliament to be the people’s place also,” Boulerice said. “We are in a democracy. We want to have openness.”
Conservative MP John Williamson said the Wellington Street demonstrators shouldn’t be forced to move.
“It’s their right to be there,” he said.
