Story by Michael Rodriguez • Monday, May 15, 2023
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal says his office has been targeted by disturbing and hateful threats.© Provided by Calgary Herald
Calgary’s lone federal Liberal representative, George Chahal is speaking out after a string of voicemails left at his constituency office — chock full of racist and homophobic slurs — called for the MP and his family members’ deaths.
The Calgary Skyview MP and former city councillor posted to Twitter two clips of voice messages his local office received recently, stating a need to fight back against “growing” hatred.
“I’m appalled by this incident, but also resolute to stand against this hate that’s being promoted by a few in our society,” Chahal told Postmedia on Sunday. “We all are accountable as elected officials to ensure that we stand up and call out and fight against this bigotry, hate and discrimination that we’re seeing.”
The audio, totalling more than four minutes, contains multiple back-to-back voice messages from what appears to be one man, laced with homophobic and racial slurs.
“Hey George, just a reminder you’re an ugly, trash, n—– f—– traitor, and I hope your entire family receives what’s getting to them with corporal punishment one day,” the caller said. “You should all be hanged and exterminated for your treason — thanks.”
Similar pejorative language is used in each of the messages, many of which accuse Chahal of treason for “selling us out” to China and one telling him to “get out of my country, you f—–.”
Chahal said while this is a particularly vile example, these kinds of threats and hate have increased since he moved from municipal to federal politics in 2021 and it’s something many who hold public office face — specifically women and people of colour. The Calgary Police Service is investigating the incident, and Chahal says he’s also made a report to the parliamentary sergeant-at-arms.
“I am being targeted because of my political affiliations and my race and what I stand for,” he said. “This individual and many others have over the last number of years have been targeting many elected officials who hold similar views to myself — it’s concerning. I’m also concerned about the politicians that are inflaming these types of actions here in Canada.”
More security for George Chahal’s constituency office
Chahal said he’s had to bolster security measures at his office so his staffers feel comfortable going to work and upgrade his home security system to ensure his family’s safety.
“My family is always on edge when an incident like this happens. We’ve had a number of people target me at my home, and here at the office as well,” he said. “All Canadians should feel safe to be able to go to work or be in their own home, and should not fear their ability to just be a regular person in our society. … This is unfortunately on the rise and has significantly risen over the last number of years here in Canada.”
Additionally, Chahal said his daughter and niece were followed home after a day of door-knocking during the 2021 campaign .
“This is so unfortunate there are so many incidents that I can point to since I’ve been campaigning and elected as an MP. That is a very concerning and very disturbing trend,” he said.
Chahal’s staff say the messages were left over the course of a single night in March, shortly after Chahal spoke to the Hill Times about recent controversies surrounding China’s meddling in Canadian elections.
In the piece, Chahal contested the notion that volunteers of political campaigns suspected of receiving Chinese aid should be interviewed, saying it presumes guilt and could discourage minorities from being active politically.
Chahal was elected MP for Calgary Skyview in 2021 after a single term on city council.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @MichaelRdrguez
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