Edmonton mayor calls out those allegedly harassing, threatening City workers

Edmonton’s mayor, Andrew Knack, is calling out Edmontonians for allegedly harassing and threatening City workers.

On Wednesday, Knack wrote a letter to the public stating that Edmonton has seen an increase in threats against snow removal crews, 311 operators, and elected officials.

Knack also noted that in some incidents over the last week, shovels have reportedly been thrown at City workers while they are in their vehicles.

“Unfortunately, this harassment disproportionately targets women, racialized individuals, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I know this because many of my colleagues received more hateful comments and harassment in their first month than I have received in my entire 12 years,” said Knack.

The mayor would continue by saying that the reported incidents impede the safety and well-being of colleagues, friends, family members, and neighbours, affecting their individual lives, and that they threaten the community as a whole.

“What we are witnessing is not merely a disagreement or passionate political debate. It is a deliberate attempt to silence specific voices and marginalize them from our democratic process. The impact is to deter those who seek positions of local leadership,” said Knack in his letter to the public.

“When we allow abuse and harassment to go unchecked, we pay the price. When we allow misinformation to circulate, we undermine trust in public institutions. When we normalize toxicity, we risk allowing an endless loop of abuse to continue as ‘just a part of politics.'”

Knack would also point to research that indicates that 63 per cent of local politicians across Canada have experienced some form of harassment during their current term or campaign period.

“We diminish the quality of governance and the health of dialogue and public discourse. We discourage women and underrepresented groups from entering and remaining in public service. We see even the most consistent and passionate voices turn away and choose not to participate,” said Knack.

“And while it is understood that politics as it stands is on shaky ground, here in Edmonton, we cannot lose what makes this City special. We must embrace civility and thoughtful debate.”

Knack would go on to say that harassment and abuse are never okay, noting that Edmontonians can criticize without throwing personal attacks, threats, or degrading language.

“It should go without saying to recognize the shared humanity within your neighbours. It should go without saying that we need to be part of the solution and model kindness and thoughtful dialogue. It should go without saying that we need to hold ourselves and each other accountable for abusive behaviour,” said Knack.

“Our democracy is weakened by fear, intimidation, echo chambers, misinformation and performative outrage. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every person who steps forward to serve deserves to do so without fear of harassment or violence.”