For the second time in one week, a female Alberta politician is speaking out about being harassed and bullied online.
Last Tuesday, MLA for Calgary-North West Sandra Jansen and former MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans withdrew from the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party leadership race after constant harassment.
Days later, someone allegedly hacked Red Deer South MLA Barb Miller’s Facebook post to make comments under her name, and she filed an official complaint.
After a difficult week for women in politics, former Edmonton city councilor Kim Krushell gave another voice to the struggles women face online.
“I encountered internet trolls and they would say inappropriate things,” Krushell said. “It certainly was bothersome. It happened more to me than I noticed it happened to my male colleagues.”
Despite the current climate, Krushell is hopeful that women will eventually be evaluated on their political merit – not gender.
“I think we need to change the way that we look at our politicians and say, ‘what are you prepared to do that’s a positive change that’s going to do something good for us.’ Not just being negative and disrespectful.”
With files from Taylor Oseen
