Dr. Ruby Dhalla Calls for Increased Security After Alarming Campaign Incidents

Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a battle for survival. Yet, in an increasingly volatile political climate, campaigning has become a dangerous endeavor, with candidates facing not just political opposition but real, physical threats. In Canada, where elections are typically seen as civil, the escalation of threats against candidates is a stark warning that political violence is no longer a distant concern—it is here.

Dr. Ruby Dhalla’s campaign has called for an urgent security assessment following a disturbing pattern of harassment and threats. “Despite the security threats and hate mail, my focus continues to be on listening to Canadians across the country to build a stronger & prosperous Canada,” she stated. But the reality is that in the past week alone, her campaign has reported suspicious vehicles outside her office and home, online extortion attempts, and an alarming escalation that led to Peel Police intervening to apprehend an individual outside her residence. With just thirty days before Canadians elect their next prime minister, the threats against her are growing, and her campaign is demanding that the RCMP or other law enforcement agencies step in to provide protection.

This is not just an issue for one candidate—it is a crisis for democracy. Political violence has a chilling effect, discouraging participation and emboldening those who believe that intimidation is a legitimate tool. We have seen this before. Physical assaults on politicians, attempts on their lives, and the normalization of threats have steadily increased. In other countries, heightened security for leading candidates is standard, yet in Canada, there is a troubling hesitation to act until after an attack has occurred.

A frontrunner for leadership should not have to plead for security. The warning signs are clear, and the need for protection is urgent. If political violence is allowed to escalate unchecked, it will not be long before the cost of running for office in Canada is paid in more than just political capital.