WARMINGTON: MP Kevin Vuong says wife followed by anti-Israel forces who have smeared him

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Pro-Israel MP Kevin Vuong says he has reported to police and parliamentary security officials about an incident Monday night in which he alleges his pregnant wife was followed. 

“This is a clear escalation,” said the Spadina-Fort York MP.

He said the incident occurred after 7 p.m. in an east-end Toronto neighbourhood when his wife, Elizabeth, went out for a walk. 

“Elizabeth is rattled,” said Vuong. “She is scared.” 

Vuong, 35, went to social media to report the incident and said he has contacted police. The couple is expecting their first child this fall. 

“To the people who followed my wife last night and postered her route with your trash ‘genocide’ disinformation, I want you to know: We will not be intimidated,” Vuong posted to his X account Tuesday. “To the woman who followed us during our walk in her car and took photos, we took some ourselves and have your licence plate.” 

Vuong said he has shared the photos with Toronto Police, who have not so far commented. 

“I have also talked to the protective services people at the Sgt. At Arms in Ottawa,” said Vuong. 

There is no doubt in his mind that this was provocation as a result of his strong advocacy for the Jewish community in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 slaughter by Hamas.

“She was clearly being followed,” said Vuong, who said they noticed anti-Israel posters calling him out being pasted to poles all along the same route. The poster is in essence an attack ad which asks “Where’s Kevin” and says his “favourite activities” include “supporting genocide in Gaza.” 

He has removed the “hateful” smear posters in the area surrounding his home since he said they are more to pressure him than his neighbours. Vuong, who has seen a protest at his constituency office as well, has seen an escalation against him as a result of his strong support for Jewish businesses and Jewish citizens.

“I have been the most vocal MP,” he said. “There are people who don’t like it.” 

In fact, it was brought to his attention that people on a social media site were commenting on how he and his wife had moved from an apartment in his ward to a home in another Toronto neighbourhood as they await the birth of their first child. 

“It was a discussion of what should be done, and it said they would talk about what to do next but not on that site but perhaps on Signal or something more secure,” he said. 

The independent parliamentarian also said there has been a pattern of intimidation directed toward him that includes people using the system to harass him at his place of residence. 

“They found out where we lived and they started calling parking enforcement to give me tickets,” he said. “I was given four tickets in five days.” 

He said he now has a parking permit, but things have escalated with these posters being put around his neighbourhood even though the street is not in his riding. 

This is brutal. It’s unacceptable. And it’s terrifying. 

Vuong has been amidst much controversy since being elected in 2021. Originally a Liberal MP, he was dropped from the party after it was learned he didn’t disclose a previous criminal charge that was later withdrawn. He has since indicated he felt the complaint could have been part of a “honey trap” set by communist Chinese agents. There have also been reports Vuong has asked about joining the Conservative caucus ahead of the next election. 

That aside, the naval reserve officer has shown himself to be an outstanding local MP who takes on tough files and does not fish for votes on what is popular but grounds himself in what he feels is right. It’s not easy for politicians now – on any side of the spectrum. But there needs to be a line drawn when it comes to bothering people at home or involving their families. That crosses the line. No politician or anyone who has a strong opinion on any issue should be subjected to this kind of bullying. 

When you have Jewish schools being shot up, synagogues attacked and now MPs allegedly being stalked, it’s clear the anti-Semitic activities in Toronto are out of control. It’s seems no target or person is off limits.

jwarmington@postmedia.com