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Ontario Minister of Labour’s constituency office in Lindsay vandalized overnight

Click to play video: 'Ontario government claims labour press conference led to vandalism'
Ontario government claims labour press conference led to vandalism
WATCH ABOVE: Government House Leader Todd Smith and Labour Minister Laurie Scott linked groups fighting for $15 minimum wage to break-and-enter and vandalism. However, police said they are still investigating. Travis Dhanraj reports – Oct 24, 2018

Vandals in Lindsay ransacked the constituency office of Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Labour overnight Tuesday, hours after the provincial government rolled back labour reforms passed by the previous Liberal government.

In a tweet, Premier Doug Ford said someone broke into the office on Lindsay Street North and vandalized it. Scott is the MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. The front door and windows were smashed and furniture overturned. A wall was spray painted “Attack Workers We Fight Back $15.”

WATCH: Laurie Scott talks to reporters about her vandalized office

Click to play video: 'Laurie Scott talks about her constituency office vandalism'
Laurie Scott talks about her constituency office vandalism

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“These actions have no place in our democracy,” Ford wrote. “Thank you to the local police officers and the OPP, who are now investigating this very serious incident.”

Vandals targeted the constituency office of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Labour. Ministry of Labour
Walls of Laurie Scott’s constituency office in Lindsay were also spray painted. Ministry of Labour
Sarah Deeth/CHEX News

 

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The vandalism came as Scott on Tuesday announced the province was capping minimum wage at $14 an hour until 2020 and reducing the number of personal leave days currently provided to workers to eight from 10. Minimum wage was due to rise to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2019, under reforms that had been passed by the previous government.

A property manager says the damage was discovered around midnight when a security alarm was triggered. Damage is estimated at $15,000.

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City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service is investigating, noting they were informed of the vandalism around 11:30 p.m.

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In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Scott also said she has received threats and death threats.

“This type of vandalism – crossing the line – is not going to be accepted by anyone,” Scott told reporters at Queen’s Park in Toronto. “I need to protect the workers in our office from this intimidation and bullying.

“I believe in democratic and peaceful protest and debate, but we will not tolerate vandalism, intimidation or bullying.”

More to come.

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