Three Rivers council closes another meeting to the public following threats of violence
CBC
For the second time in just over a year, the Town of Three Rivers had to limit access to a public meeting after threats of violence.
Thursday night’s council meeting was closed following what the eastern P.E.I. town's mayor, Debbie Johnston, called “disturbing comments” posted on social media earlier that day.
Johnston said the decision was made after discussions with the RCMP.
In a statement emailed to CBC News, P.E.I. RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Gavin Moore confirmed the agency is investigating threats made against council on a social media platform.
“The comments were of a concerning nature and were in part in relation to the Town of Three Rivers,” Moore said in the statement.
“We maintain an open dialogue with the Town of Three Rivers with the goal of sharing any relevant information they can use in their decision making on holding public meetings."
It is the second time the RCMP has had to investigate threats of violence against the town's council. Last November, a public meeting was moved online after threats mentioning weapons.
While police did not provide details on the full nature of the most recent threats, Coun. Anne Van Donkersgoed told CBC News they are related to land and properties owned by Buddhist groups in the area, which have been the topic of concerns and speculation for years.
Van Donkersgoed and other councillors have been criticized by some over how much land the groups own.
“With all the misinformation and the name calling in the community and on social media, I'm very cautious about my safety and the safety of my family,” she said in a written statement to CBC News.
“Some people feel they can say anything they want no matter whether it's true or not. In my opinion this creates an environment where things can escalate into somebody being seriously hurt.”
Van Donkersgoed added she is disheartened to think there are people on P.E.I. who have “so little regard” for their fellow citizens.
Cory Deagle, P.E.I.'s minister of housing, land and communities, said in a statement that he does not condone threats of any kind.
“This is a very challenging time to be a local leader, and we recognize the pressures that come with these roles,” the statement reads.
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