Politicians Across Canada Are Condemning Online Threats Made Towards Niagara's Top Doctor
Some of Canada's top politicians are coming to the defence of Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara Region Public Health's medical officer of health.
Dr. Hirji became the target of online hate after news broke that Niagara is the only region outside of the GTA that's staying in the "grey zone" of COVID-19 restrictions.
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There is absolutely no place for these kinds of threats in Ontario. Cut it out.
Doug Ford
On Friday, the Ontario government announced new restrictions for all regions of the province except Toronto, Peel, and York.
Niagara's restrictions mean that barbershops, tattoo parlours, and casinos have to stay closed, while retail stores can only operate at 25% capacity.
On Saturday, the St. Catherine's Standard reported that several online threats were made against Dr. Hirji, the Niagara region's top medical advisor. Some of the threats even came from local business owners, they reported.
According to the Standard, the graphic threats recommended using "force" to remove Dr. Hirji from his post and even referenced murdering the doctor.
According to a tweet from the Niagara Regional Police Service, officers have started an investigation into the social media threats.
In response, politicians from all parties and levels of government condemned the response and published messages of support for Dr. Hirji.
"There is absolutely no place for these kinds of threats in Ontario. Cut it out," Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote in a tweet.
"This rhetoric is unacceptable, and I strongly condemn it. He, and all public health officials working to keep us safe, deserve nothing but our sincere thanks," tweeted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"The scientific and evidence-based advice provided by scientists, doctors and Medical Officers of Health like Dr. Hirji has saved lives during this pandemic," tweeted NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. "They are heroes."
Dr. Hirji also posted several tweets thanking people for their support and empathizing with people experiencing lockdown "frustration."
"The excessive anger of a few today should not distract from the suffering of many during this pandemic," he said.