Mayors

In order to maintain their hegemony, various mayors have tried to get their sons elected as successors after they have retired from office.

Some French mayors have been trying to outlaw the so-called burkini, an extremely modest garment which some Muslim women wear on trips to the beach. Critics of such measures have pointed out the fact that the garment, which covers most of the body and even the arms and legs, strongly resembles the thermal wetsuits used by divers and surfers.

Governing can be a dangerous business, especially for U.S. mayors. Eighty percent say they’ve experienced violence, harassment or both.

In all, 13% of mayors say they’ve been subjected to physical violence, according to Thomas’s research. Eight in 10 mayors say they’ve faced some sort of psychological abuse.

Seventy percent of mayors say they are harassed or abused via social media.

Female mayors are more than twice as likely as males to experience psychological abuse and almost three times as likely to experience physical violence.

Thomas is concerned that attacks on mayors might dissuade people from seeking public office.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Friday afternoon with an incident response group that included several ministers. He said he had already spoken with British Columbia's premier, as well as local mayors and indigenous chiefs in communities under threat.

Mayors impose toll collection because they want to raise more money for their campaigns.