Alberta byelection candidate back on campaign trail, citing no more 'credible threats'

Battle River-Crowfoot independent candidate Sarah Spanier says she's set to return to public campaigning after a deluge of hostile comments led her to pause door-knocking.

Last week, RCMP said several candidates contesting next month's byelection in the riding had reported receiving negative and sometimes "potentially threatening commentary" on social media platforms in recent weeks.

At the time, Spanier shared some screenshots with CBC News of various social media comments, one of which stated that Spanier "[is] an ignorant pig and I pray [she gets] destroyed," while another wrote that should Spanier come to their door, she "will regret it."

Spanier had said that she thought rhetoric became especially aggressive after she publicly stated her support of transgender people. 

But now, Spanier said she feels safe enough to return to campaigning in person.

"The RCMP has been in regular communication with me, which has been fantastic. I've seen them drive outside my house. They've stopped in and said hi, they've definitely made their presence known," Spanier said. "This is beyond what I expected."

Spanier added that there were no more "credible threats" to her safety. She said she will now have some more personal safety support with her, but will be returning to public campaigning.

"I'm super excited about that," she said. "It's just nice to know that there are people out there who are willing to help."

The matter remains under investigation, a spokesperson said Tuesday. In a prior statement, RCMP said that while Canadians "are entitled to express their opinions, even those critical of political figures, threats or comments that cross the line into criminal conduct will be taken seriously."

More than 200 on the ballot

Spanier is one of more than 200 candidates running in the riding alongside Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, most of whom are electoral reform advocates known as the Longest Ballot Committee. Spanier is not part of that group.

Darcy Spady, the Liberal candidate in the byelection, said he had had positive interactions with people in the riding while campaigning.

"I think it's kind of sad that we have to have a [RCMP release] like this. But this is what it is. People have strong opinions," Spady said Wednesday. "We want dialogue, but people can't be moving into the threat zone."

Still, he said he thought those issuing threats represented a small group.

"I've been told a few interesting words, but by and large, it's been pretty good," he said.

Bonnie Critchley, another independent candidate running in the riding, previously released a video on TikTok responding to media reports about threats in the riding. 

"It's honestly just not a thing.... Are people saying mean things about me online? Well, yeah, it is the age of the keyboard warrior," Critchley said. "But there's been no death threats."

Her campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Some members of the Longest Ballot Committee, meanwhile, have raised concern with alleged harassment in recent days.

Jayson Cowan, a candidate in Battle River-Crowfoot affiliated with the committee, said he recently received a threatening phone call.

"It was basically threatening in nature, that he would go after my employer, find out who my employer is, go after him, go after everybody I know," he said. "Not a fun day."

A spokesperson for Poilievre didn't respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The byelection is scheduled for Aug. 18.