Kamloops MP's office vandalized on New Year's Day following emailed threats

Conservative MP Cathy McLeod says her office in downtown Kamloops, B.C., was broken into on New Year's Day amid escalating tension in the community aroundCOVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations.

In atweet Wednesday evening, the Opposition critic for Crown-Indigenous affairs says her Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo federal constituency office was "rifled through" after she received emails calling her a "Nazi-like collaborator" because of her pro-vaccination stance.

McLeod says according to her locksmith, the office door was forced open with a crowbar and her desk was rummaged through. She stresses no personal information from constituents in her southern Interior riding was taken.

"We don't know what the motivation is," McLeod told Shelley Joyce, host of CBC's Daybreak Kamloops. "But it certainly feels very personal in terms of how they did go through the office."

Kamloops RCMP said in a statement to CBC Newsit received a report of mischief and damage to McLeod's officearound 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, but no suspect has been identified.

McLeod says she won't hesitate to get vaccinated for COVID-19and she believes her positive view about vaccinations triggered the abusive emails she received over the holidays.

"I understand how people are angry at politicians right now in terms of some [who have travelled internationally].I know that so many businesses are devastated. Many people are struggling with this COVID and the isolation and the restrictions that have been put in place," she said.

"I've noticed for the first time in my 12 years as an MP how many people are angry but the tone of the correspondence into my office is very concerning for sure."

McLeod also says in her tweet Canada is experiencing polarization, although not on the same scale assouth of the border, epitomized by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trumpstorming the U.S. Capitolbuilding on Wednesday.

"I felt sick to see what was happening [in the U.S. Capitol]," she said. "But I think what's important is in the end, democracy did win out."

"I reflect back on what has been a peaceful transition of power in both the U.S. and Canada for manyyears that is what democracy is all about."

Tap the link below to listen to Cathy McLeod's interview on Daybreak Kamloops: