Vancouver mayor, wife allegedly harassed at Yaletown shop over weekend

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver’s mayor says police are considering charges against a man who allegedly harassed him and his wife over the weekend.

In a statement, Kennedy Stewart says on Saturday afternoon at a local Yaletown shop, he, his wife Jeanette, and their dog Fergus were all approached by a man who started verbally harassing them and said disparaging things about people without homes.

“His attitude became increasingly aggressive and he initiated physical contact with me,” Stewart says in a release describing the incident.

After repeatedly asking the man to leave him and his wife alone, the mayor says, “he did not.”

“I told him three times that if he did not leave us alone and respect our personal space, I would call the police. When he continued and challenged me to step outside, I called the police and described the incident,” Stewart explains.

While he and his wife stayed in the store, Vancouver Police officers arrived shortly and took statements.

Officers later told him that a warning would be given, and possible charges would be considered against the man.

Stewart says possible charges from police will be considered.

In an email statement to NEWS 1130, ­VPD confirmed they responded to call about a “verbal altercation inside a private liquor store in Yaletown.”

“Our officers conducted a thorough investigation and spoke with all parties involved, including witnesses. The parties went their separate ways after speaking with police,” police say. “The matter is still under investigation.”

Several public figures have been the target of harassment and violence lately, something Stewart is calling “unacceptable”.

“Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in this kind of aggressive behaviour directed at public figures.”

Earlier in the month, Surrey’s mayor Doug McCallum alleged he was verbally assaulted and that his foot was run over by a vehicle.

The incident happened near where pro-RCMP campaigners had set up a table. The City of Surrey is currently in the process of transitioning from the RCMP to a municipal force — a move that has divided the community and has passionate supporters on both sides.

During the federal election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has been dogged by protesters, most of them voicing angry opposition to mandatory vaccinations, masks and lockdowns that have been implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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A planned event in Bolton on Friday evening was cancelled because, Trudeau said later, the RCMP determined that it could not keep attendees safe.

“Where I fully respect people’s right to express different viewpoints, resorting to harassment or violence is unacceptable,” Stewart added.

– With files from Charlie Carey and The Canadian Press