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National Post

B.C. cabinet minister says she's 'fortunate' to have received just half a dozen death threats

VANCOUVER — British Columbia infrastructure minister says in her eight years as a member of the legislature, she can recall receiving about half a dozen death threats, and considers herself 'pretty fortunate' as a provincial politician. Article content Bowinn Ma says she knows it's strange to say, but she is aware of other elected officials who have been the subject of many more such threats. Article content Article content Article content Ma's comments come after an explosive blasted open the front door of her North Vancouver constituency office last week, setting off an RCMP investigation. Article content Article content No one was hurt and police are saying little about a motive or suspects, but Ma says she won't be intimidated from continuing her work and serving the community. Article content However, Ma says that she is worried about the lasting implications such a threat can have 'on the way that politicians serve.' Article content When Ma was first elected, she says she took over a former member's office and tore down a security wall that went across the room to make it more welcoming, but now says she'll work with a Legislature security team for a threat assessment and ongoing safety advice. Article content But Ma says she is worried the blast can feed into a feeling among elected officials and the public that politicians are being more 'frequently targeted.' Article content 'I worry that will drive elected officials further away from these kinds of open approaches, and that's not a criticism of elected officials. I mean, they've got to do what they need to do to keep themselves and their staff safe, but we also lose out as a democratic society when that happens.' Article content Article content Ma says Mounties told her that 'there is no indication of a repeat event' and an investigation is ongoing. Article content Article content At the same time, Ma says she encourages anyone passionate about running for office not to be deterred. Article content