Criticism vs. abuse: B.C. politicians say they're facing increased harassment

In the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam, about 30 kilometres east of Vancouver, a man allegedly became so upset over a bylaw issue he threatened to cause death or bodily harm to Mayor Brad West.

West, who was not involved with the bylaw, claims the man also threatened his wife and two young children.

"My son is five years old, my other son is 15 months old. They have nothing to do with anything that might ever be going on in the city," said West.

"There is nothing more important to me in this world than my wife and my two young boys. And my first responsibility is to love and protect them. So I took that really seriously."

Coquitlam RCMP says the man, William Arthur Jones, was arrested and a replica gun was seized. Jones was charged with one count of uttering threats, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service. Last week, he pled guilty.

West's experience is one example of the growing wave of harassment, both in-person and online, that municipal and provincial officials say they are facing.

Over the past two years, Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott says a well-funded, anonymous social media campaign has targeted her office, spreading misinformation.

People have walked up to her and screamed in her face, and yelled at her from their vehicles while she's walking with her child, she says. 

While the harassment isn't the primary reason she's leaving office — which she has held for eight years — it has played a role, she says.

"I would say my family is not sad to see me stepping back," said Elliott.

What's more terrifying, she adds, is how it has discouraged others from seeking a role in municipal politics.

"I asked a number of women over the last 18 months to consider running for council and the answer I got was, 'Look what's happening to you. Why would I do that?"

Provincial officials are no strangers to the blurred lines of criticism and harassment either.

B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau recalls how she was once followed by a man in a car while walking her dog, telling her she was responsible for killing children because she supports the COVID-19 vaccine.