Edmonton man charged for alleged death threat against Canada's prime minister: RCMP

Edmonton man charged for alleged death threat against Canada's prime minister: RCMP

'Criminal online actions have real-world consequences,' RCMP say

Police arrested an Edmonton man accused of threatening to kill Prime Minister Mark Carney, RCMP say.

Dwight Peter MacIntyre, 44, has been charged with uttering a death threat against Carney, following alleged social media activity last month, according to a Thursday news release from the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET).

“People should not assume they can make threats online without consequences. When online comments cross the line into criminal conduct, police will investigate and take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable,” Supt. Matt Johnson, officer in charge of national security with RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, said in the news release.

“Criminal online actions have real-world consequences, regardless of whether they are made behind a screen.”

Police said INSET started investigating on Sept. 4, after RCMP became aware of a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, who had allegedly posted threats targeting the prime minister. RCMP didn't provide additional details about the alleged threats.

On Sept. 9, five days after the investigation started, INSET officers arrested and charged MacIntyre in relation to the incident, RCMP said.

Police didn't say where the arrest happened. But in Thursday's statement, INSET officials thanked the Edmonton Police Service and the Alberta RCMP’s Parkland detachment for their support in the investigation.

MacIntyre is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Nov. 25.

In Thursday's statement, RCMP warned "this is a time for increased vigilance," as the security environment in which public figures operate continues to evolve within Canada and abroad.

MacIntyre is not the first person to have allegedly threatened Carney since he took public office more than a year ago.

A Calgary man was arrested and charged last month, in connection with allegations he threatened to kill Carney. Two men in Quebec were also arrested earlier this year on similar allegations.