CHAT News File Photo

By Gates Guarin

Local officials speak out on negative public discourse

Sep 7, 2022 | 5:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A video involving Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland that went viral almost two weeks ago has sparked a conversation about how elected officials are treated in public.

The video shows a man verbally abusing Freeland when she was in Grande Prairie back on Aug. 26. The man’s actions have been condemned by politicians of all stripes.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and UCP leadership hopefuls Rajan Sawhney and Rebecca Schulz are just some who have denounced the actions that were caught on camera. Here in Medicine Hat, some city councillors were asked about the behaviour toward elected officials and how to best navigate that kind of public discourse.

Coun. Andy McGrogan, who previously served as Medicine Hat police chief prior to his election onto council, says he is more than willing to engage in serious conversations with the community as long it is done in a mature and respectful manner.

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“I would just always encourage respectful dialogue, respectful disagreement,” McGrogan says. “There’s nothing better than actually disagreeing and listening to each side of an issue, because I love it when I change my mind because someone has a better, bigger, brighter idea than I do, and I have no issues with that. It all really comes down to respect; I know they want that of me, and I want that of them.”

I understand that everybody has a different view of what elected officials are and what they do, and I’m okay with that too,” McGrogan adds.

Coun. Ramona Robins, a former Crown prosecutor, agrees with McGrogan.

“When people are willing to do it in public, like shout out at a public official, that’s a bit concerning, more than a bit concerning, and [Freeland’s] safety is important and everyone’s safety is important,” Robins says. “If you’re doing something – if you’re in public service, which I have been for 20 years – this the most recent example of my public service career, and you feel unsafe in what you’re doing, then the public really needs to ask who is going to be willing to be a public servant.”

Robins says people should think twice about engaging with public officials in an aggressive, disrespectful manner. Any form of intolerance, whether publically or through emails, will not be met with any form of engagement or dialogue.

Alberta NDP education critic Sarah Hoffman was also asked about the treatment of elected officials at a stop in Medicine Hat, saying those actions are the reason politicians need to speak up and set the tone in the province and in Canada.