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CAQ leader considers police protection for Ian Lafrenière following threats

Former Montreal police inspector Ian Lafrenière has received threats since he became a candidate for the Coalition Avenir Québec. Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press

Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault is considering whether to offer police protection to one of his candidates who recently received threats.

Legault says ex-Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière needs to be protected.

READ MORE: CAQ’s François Legault is taking campaign controversies in stride

Election campaign-style posters with an image of Lafrenière with a bullet in his head were recently displayed at a junior college north of Montreal.

The image originally surfaced in 2013 but its author is unknown.

READ MORE: High-profile police officer moves to politics as CAQ candidate

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A woman was found guilty in 2015 of criminal harassment for sharing the image online.

Lafrenière, who is running in the Montreal-area riding of Vachon, says in an interview he is evaluating the possibility of asking for police protection.

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But he said Friday things are going well and that people want to talk about real issues.

“I don’t want to be distracted by this,” he added.

WATCH: Ian Lafrenière makes the jump to provincial politics with the Coalition Avenir Québec

Click to play video: 'Decision Quebec: Ian Lafrenière makes the jump to politics'
Decision Quebec: Ian Lafrenière makes the jump to politics

Alain Aubuchon, head of student life at the junior college in Saint-Jerome, said the posters were immediately removed after they were discovered.

Legault said Lafrenière recently relinquished his service weapon when he decided to join the CAQ.

“I think we will ensure he will be protected,” Legault told reporters.

READ MORE: CAQ, Liberals have opposing strategies to labour shortage, immigration

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