Former Minister Catherine McKenna Reveals Political Abuse in Memoir

BREAKING: Former Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has unveiled shocking details of the abuse she faced during her political career in her upcoming memoir, Run Like a Girl, set for release next week. McKenna, who served as the Liberal MP for Ottawa Centre from 2015 to 2021, claims federal security agencies initially denied her protection despite escalating threats against her and her family.

McKenna’s revelations detail a disturbing pattern of harassment, ranging from violent social media attacks to in-person intimidation. She recounts incidents where men targeted her outside her home and even harassed her and her children during family outings. “Many of the tweets were violent,” she writes, highlighting a meme depicting a Barbie doll being crushed with a sledgehammer.

In her book, McKenna describes a particularly alarming incident in August 2020, when a man entered her constituency office and verbally assaulted her staff while recording the encounter. Despite reporting the incident to the RCMP, she received no immediate response, prompting her to contact the Ottawa Police, who did initiate an investigation.

Frustrated with the lack of action, McKenna demanded that the Prime Minister’s Office hold a meeting focused on her safety. “We’re not doing this anymore,” she insisted, emphasizing the urgency of her situation. However, she felt dismissed during the meeting as security agencies passed responsibility for her safety back and forth.

In a stark reminder of the inadequacies in political security, McKenna shared that the RCMP only began to take her safety seriously after repeated confrontations. She noted that former Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan faced similar issues regarding access to risk assessments, raising questions about the treatment of politicians regarding their security needs.

At a time when the RCMP reported a budget increase for protecting parliamentarians to $2.5 million from April to December 2023, McKenna’s experiences shed light on the critical need for enhanced safety protocols. The budget is a staggering 40 percent increase compared to the previous year and 86 percent more than what was spent in 2021-22.

McKenna’s memoir aims to inspire young women to engage in politics and address the alarming security situation facing politicians. “The security situation involving politicians is not OK,” she stated, emphasizing the need for change. She noted that many women in politics, even at local levels, are facing similar threats, both online and offline.

As McKenna prepares for her book launch, these revelations are prompting significant discussions about safety in politics and the urgent need for protective measures for public officials. The RCMP has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding McKenna’s allegations.

This urgent update highlights the struggles faced by politicians, especially women, in navigating a landscape riddled with threats and harassment. McKenna’s story calls for immediate attention and action to ensure the safety of those who serve the public.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and McKenna’s memoir hits the shelves.