Saskatchewan man charged with threatening prime minister on social media

YORKTON, Sask. – A Saskatchewan man has been charged with uttering threats against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Christopher Hayes appeared briefly in a Yorkton courtroom.

RCMP say the 41-year-old allegedly made threats against Trudeau on social media.

Investigators received two complaints about the threats in March and July.

Hayes was arrested Tuesday at a home in the village of Grayson, northeast of Regina.

Police say several electronics were seized from the house.

Hayes is next to appear in court in Melville on Aug. 8.

“We take all complaints of this nature very seriously, no matter who the victim is or by what means the threat is conveyed,” Supt. Rob Cameron said in a news release.

“We can’t speculate on whether or not someone may or may not act on alleged threats made. In this instance, we became aware of these alleged threats, conducted an investigation and laid charges against one person.”