Police involved after Calgary Liberal candidate volunteers say they were slapped, spat on
Sabrina Grover's campaign members say they were attacked inside a Beltline apartment building Monday
A federal Liberal candidate in Calgary says two of her volunteers were spat on, slapped and sworn at as they campaigned in the Beltline on Monday, the same day party leader Justin Trudeau was hit by gravel thrown by protesters at an event in London, Ont.
Calgary police confirm they are investigating after meeting with Calgary Centre Liberal candidate Sabrina Grover's volunteers Tuesday.
"I was shocked and angry that this happened, but it didn't take me by surprise," said Grover in a phone interview with CBC News.
"This is the first time it's turned violent or turned into assault, but we've had several people express their anger with profanity on the doorstep."
Spitting, slapping, swearing
On Monday, the two men were distributing campaign brochures in a Beltline apartment building when a man ran down the stairs and began swearing at them.
Robert Tremblay, one of the volunteers, described the interaction in a series of tweets.
Tremblay said an angry man ran down the stairwell and was taking the campaign materials from other residents' doors.
Well just had probably the worst experience I've had doorknocking while out campaigning for <a href="https://twitter.com/sabrinagrover?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sabrinagrover</a> and the <a href="https://twitter.com/liberals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@liberals</a>. (1/11)
—@RobTPublicWhen the volunteers asked for it back, Tremblay says, the man slapped the pin off his shirt, hit him in the face with the brochures he'd taken and spat on the two as he ran off.
"This incident will always be in the back of my mind when I recommend someone campaign or knock doors, and that sucks," wrote Tremblay.
Trudeau pelted by gravel
On Monday, 3,000 kilometres east, angry protesters threw small stones at Trudeau as he boarded a campaign bus in London, Ont.
The protesters appeared to be against COVID-related public health measures and vaccination requirements.
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Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole immediately responded on Twitter, calling the incident "disgusting."
Grover says she has received online support from Calgary Centre NDP and Green Party candidates but has yet to be contacted by incumbent Conservative Greg McLean.
She says she feels the "hyper vitriol and hyper anger" has been building over the years.
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"I think that it is being driven by the right, and I don't think we can be surprised that it's happening today," said Grover.
"It's important that candidates and politicians and political parties on all sides condemn interactions like this and that in their own actions they're promoting positivity and promoting a better Canada. And I think at the end of the day we see this happening because what I just described is not happening by all parties."