Escalating language in email correspondence to the Town of Canmore, mayor and council over the feral rabbit issue has resulted in a RCMP investigation.
Canmore Mayor Ron Casey said there were concerns over the language in repeated emails from two specific individuals.
As a result, he said, those emails were forwarded to the RCMP as a precaution.
“There were some emails that people felt were threatening in a way that had gone beyond a reasonable opposition,” he said. “Those were forwarded to the RCMP with the intent of them keeping them on file so that they were aware of them should anything further occur.”
RCMP issued a press release indicating they are investigating the letters and if charges are warranted they will be laid under the Criminal Code.
The release cautioned citizens to be aware of what they are saying in correspondence and how it will be perceived, because conviction on a charge of uttering threats will result in a criminal record and a maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment.
Casey said the language was not a direct threat against anyone specifically, but one email referenced family members by name of the contractor selected to undertake the feral rabbit management plan.
Another, he said, inferred council should “watch your backs because the knives are out.
“There was just a concern raised by everyone that in fact they had crossed a line,” he said.