Alberta NDP MLA Sandra Jansen will temporarily be given a security detail after receiving threats in the wake of her decision to cross the floor from the Progressive Conservative party last Thursday.
“Because of an increased number of threats after MLA Jansen announced she was joining the government caucus, it was decided to have the Executive Protection Unit lend their assistance temporarily,” the Alberta government said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
Jansen said it was precautionary measure.
“Just for a little while, I’ve got some help. We’re just concerned about some of the comments that have come in,” she said.
“I feel much safer as a result and I think that when this blows over we can all get back to doing our jobs.”
The only other MLA with any security is the premier. The opposition leaders don’t have security, neither do cabinet ministers.
Watch below: During Question Period on Wednesday, NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson sought Liberal government support to remove misogyny in Parliament in light of Alberta MLA Sandra Jansen’s comments on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Jansen gave an impassioned speech to the house, recounting some of the comments she said have been directed at her since she joined the Alberta NDP last week.
“Dumb broad. A good place for her to be is with the rest of the queers,” Jansen read.
The Calgary-North West MLA said she had been labelled “dead meat,” a “useless tit,” and told that she should stay in the kitchen.
“Now you have two blond bimbos in a party that is clueless,” Jansen said, reading another message.
READ MORE: New Alberta NDP member Sandra Jansen urges colleagues to fight harassment
After reading the comments in the house, Jansen received a standing ovation from MLAs on both sides of the aisle. She said she read the comments in hopes of urging her colleagues to fight abuse directed at all politicians.
“Please oppose it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t look the other way. Don’t excuse it. Because our daughters are watching us,” Jansen said.
Watch below: In a member statement to the house Tuesday, new Alberta MLA Sandra Jansen recounted some of the comments she said have been directed to her since she crossed the floor to the NDP from the Progressive Conservatives last week. Jansen said she’s been called some terrible things, which she listed Tuesday.
Jansen said Wednesday she received emails and messages of support from “literally all over the world” following her speech Tuesday.
“I got a note from a soldier in Ukraine this morning that I can’t even read all the way through because it just makes me cry it’s so wonderful,” she said.
“I had no idea it was going to strike the kind of nerve it did but it did and I think that’s a good thing.”
Jansen crossed the floor from the PCs last Thursday. She had been affiliated with the Tories for 30 years.
READ MORE: Former PC MLA Sandra Jansen joins Alberta NDP
Jansen said the abuse and harassment she endured running on a progressive platform in the PC party leadership race had become intolerable.
With files from Emily Mertz and The Canadian Press.
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