Yes, there has been a significant increase in harassment of members of Parliament in the last five years. It's mostly online, but also in person and at events. By significant, I mean it's probably to the tune of a 700% to 800% increase.
I'll give you an example on threat behaviours towards MPs. In 2019, we opened approximately eight files on threat behaviours—either a direct or indirect threat—towards an MP. In 2023, there were 530 files opened. That's a significant increase in threats and threat behaviour. It's mostly threatening behaviour towards members of Parliament.
For the harassment of MPs online, it's come to the point where we're bulk filing reports of harassment of MPs online. There's just so much of it. The social media platforms are either not taking our call or taking our call and saying they'll look into it and it ends there.
It's according to their rules if they take the malicious or harassing posts down. It's up to them to take it down. Anyone can report it if the post doesn't meet their rules or regs, but it's up to the social media platform to remove it. We're not having much luck as of late having them remove it.