TERRACE, B.C. – In the wake of a violent attack on a fellow MLA’s office in Metro Vancouver, the MLA for Skeena, Claire Rattée, says that while she feels safe in public, her experience online has been a different story, filled with “vile” harassment that has twice prompted her to report correspondence to the RCMP.
Her comments come as concerns over the safety of elected officials are escalating across the province, following a June 27 explosion that heavily damaged the constituency office of B.C.’s Infrastructure Minister in North Vancouver.
“I get the occasional outburst on Facebook but it’s Twitter, or X. That is absolutely another level,” the Skeena MLA said in a recent interview. “I don’t read the comments there… I’ve had some pretty vile things said on my Twitter account.”
She revealed that the online attacks are often deeply personal, targeting her history as a recovered addict.
“Because I’m a recovered addict, I must be a junkie and I don’t deserve to be in this position and I’m making bad choices,” she said, describing the nature of the harassment. “It’s just people that have nothing better to do with their time. Social media certainly gives people cover.”
While she said she never felt physically unsafe from the online messages, she has reported two separate instances to the Smithers RCMP as a precaution, in case the harassment were to escalate.
This experience reflects a disturbing national trend. Canada’s intelligence agencies have recently issued public warnings about a sharp increase in threats and online intimidation directed at elected officials, with female politicians being disproportionately targeted.
The Skeena MLA, who previously served as a councillor for the District of Kitimat, noted a distinct difference between municipal and provincial politics. She explained that municipal politics is often less partisan and more personal, as local councillors are more visible and accessible in their hometowns.
The combination of intense online vitriol and real-world incidents like the North Vancouver explosion has created a challenging and often dangerous climate for those serving in public office in British Columbia and across the country.
