Trudeau wears bulletproof vest after security threat delays campaign rally

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau wore a bulletproof vest on stage amid heavy security at a campaign rally after a security threat, senior Liberal sources tell CBC News.

His appearanceat a crowded rally of about 2,000 supportersin Mississauga, Ont., on Saturday eveningwas delayed by 90 minutesand featured a much heavier security detail around Trudeau once the Liberal leader took thestage.

Uniformed tactical officers wearing heavy backpacks surrounded the Liberal leader as he addressed the crowd. His wife,Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, was initially supposed to introduce himbut did not appear on stage.

Trudeau delivered the speech without incident and shook hands with numerous supporters lining the stage and in the crowd as he left the venue.

When asked for more details, the Liberal Party said there would be no comment on Saturday night.

Heightened fears of violence

Saturday'sextra security measures came amid heightened fears of violenceon the campaign. Last month, sources told CBC News the RCMPwere compiling daily threat reports on online hate targeting federal political leaders during the election campaign, fearing it could spill over into real-world violence.

Government sources close to the file confirmedan increase in online posts condoning violence during thecampaign.

Just two weeks ago, Trudeau's security detail arrested a protester who approachedthe Liberal leader during theclimate change strike marchin Montreal.

In February, ahead of his testimony in front of the justice committee on the SNC-Lavalin affair,Michael Wernick, then-clerk of the Privy Council, warned of the dangers of rising hate on the campaign trail.

"I worry about the rising tides of incitements to violence when people use terms like 'treason' and 'traitor' in open discourse. Those are the words that lead to assassination," Wernick told committee members.