Residents in Cambridge, Ontario, are raising concerns about a rise in online harassment and intimidation targeting local politicians and municipal employees. This trend mirrors a broader increase across the province, affecting how public servants do their jobs and interact with the community.
According to the Ontario Ombudsman, there was a record high of 3,809 municipal-related cases reported during the 2024-2025 period.
In Cambridge, City Clerk Danielle Manton has described the environment for staff as a bleak situation while calling for stronger safety laws. Tensions have recently focused on local issues such as the 2026 budget, which was led by Mayor Jan Liggett and resulted in a 2.4 per cent property tax increase.
New provincial rules under the Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 now include specific protections against online harassment for employees. Residents who want to report concerns about the conduct of elected officials can contact the City of Cambridge integrity commissioner, Aird & Berlis LLP.
