Nova Scotia politicians say threats aren't part of the job
Former cabinet ministers react to death threat against Energy Minister Andrew Younger
Provincial politicians who have faced anger over their decisions say criticism is part of the job, but being threatened is not.
Wayne Gaudet and Tim Olive, both former cabinet ministers, say they feel badly for Nova Scotia Energy Minister Andrew Younger, who received death threats in November.
Police are investigating but have made no arrests.
CBC News obtained copies of those death threats, contained in a two-page letter typed entirely in capital letters.
"I know where you live. I know you have a son. I know how to find you and I will," the author states.
Nova Scotia politicians say that's not par for the course.
Gaudet, who represented the riding of Clare in the House of Assembly for 20 years between 1993 and 2013, was a cabinet minister, Speaker and the interim Liberal leader — twice.
"I can't recall ever being threatened," Gaudet said Tuesday.
"Mind you, there were some difficult days where you encounter individuals from the general public who aren't happy with some decisions that government has made."
Gaudet said while he learned to put up with criticism, threats and intimidation should not be part of the job.
'Our families don't sign up for this'
He recalled two instances where colleagues were threatened: premier John Savage and Jay Abbass were both targeted for different reasons.
During his one term as premier, Savage took on the unions, municipals leaders and critics within in his own party. Despite those tumultuous times, Gaudet said threats were rare.
"Other than those two individuals, I can't recall anybody and I've seen lots over 20 years," he said. "I can't recall having seen or heard of anybody else."
Olive, who represented Dartmouth South between 1999 and 2003, had his own run-in with union members during his one term as a Progressive Conservative MLA.
Striking residential care workers prevented the minister of natural resources from hosting a news conference at Alderney Gate in downtown Dartmouth.
"We were cornered in the elevator," Olive recalled Tuesday. "They wouldn't let us out. And it was tense to say the least."
Like Gaudet, Olive has never received a death threat — although he did have protesters show up at his house.
"I had representatives of this group at my home, on my property, intimidating my family," said Olive. "It was very unfortunate but even worse than that, it was over the line."
As for the situation Younger is now facing, Olive is sympathetic.
"I feel for Mr. Younger on this issue, if in fact his family has been threatened," he said. "It's very, very personal and, quite frankly, our families don't sign up for this."