A disturbing incident for the Conservative Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Member of Parliament.
Cathy McLeod’s constituency office was broken into on New Year’s Day and someone rifled through her personal office. Fortunately, she says nothing appears to have been taken, and says all items pertaining to constituents are secure and none were compromised. “It was very unusual kind of break in, the fact that whoever entered went directly to may office and into my drawers and my files. Now I do want to reassure constituents anything related to constituency work was very, very secure but again it seemed to be very targeted so that was obviously a bit concerning.”
As far as the person knowing where they were going and what they were looking for, McLeod wouldn’t say if she thinks that’s the case. “I can’t speculate. Of course we don’t know who it was and we don’t know what their motivation was so can’t really speculate in terms of that it was just the fact that whoever it was went directly to my office it appears because that was the only place where things were disturbed.”
She said she’s been called a “Nazi-like collaborator” because her views on COVID-19 and vaccines. When asked about where the sentiment is coming from, McLeod says she understands people’s frustration from the pandemic. “I think there’s a few things that are happening, of course people are starting to be very frustrated. It’s been a long time, we’ve been locked down for a long time and I think people are tired, there’s people that are very, very worried.”
Speaking on the NL Morning News today, she said the tone of complaints coming into her office has changed dramatically in the 12 years she’s been an MP.
“You can feel the sort of anger, and the upset.”
“Certainly I acknowledge that people see politicians travelling over Christmas when they weren’t seeing their family members or grandparents. That certainly added to a concern about politicians and what politicians are doing.”
McLeod says she’s well aware of the anti-vax movement but the former nurse isn’t in agreement with them having several personal experiences with vaccinations. “We have people that don’t support vaccines, which is fair enough.”
“I’m a vaccine supporter. I talk about my grandfather who had polio, my cousin who’s life was changed from measles and long term repercussions. Sitting in emergency departments in the 80’s with children with epiglottitis, meningitis and being so, so grateful when the influenza vaccine came in. So when I heard that we have a vaccine that’s going to be available, to me it’s light at the end of the title.”
She has a reminder for the anti-vaxers. “People that don’t believe in the vaccination, it’s not mandatory. So, I’m not sure why people are getting upset in terms of the vaccination, it won’t be mandatory for them but it’s certainly will be available for the vast majority who want it and to me it’s also going to be part of what’s going to get us out of the current situation that we’re in.”
McLeod says when the vaccine is widely available, she won’t hesitate to get it. “Certainly I’m going to be prepared to put my arm out when my turn comes.”
In the last few days my constituency office has been broken into and rifled through. It has been suggested I am a nazi like collaborator because I believe COVID is serious and support vaccines…. Not a US scale polarization but we do have issues #cdnpoli
— Cathy McLeod MP (@Cathy_McLeod) January 7, 2021
