Two men from Edmonton and Calgary have been charged with threatening to kill some senior leaders of the Canadian government.

On May 10, a threat to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was reported on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mason John Baker, a 23-year-old Calgary resident, was charged on June 6 with making threats against a person contrary to section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

In a separate investigation, the Mounties learned on June 7 that YouTube user Garry Belzevick, 67, had posted threats to kill Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

Belzevick, from Edmonton, was charged on June 13 with three counts of the same crime as Baker.

Officer Matthew Johnson commented, "In the digital age, where many interactions occur online and are perceived as anonymous, there is a belief that virtual actions and words have no consequences."

"When these virtual actions or words cross the line of protected expression under the Charter and constitute criminal activity, the police will conduct a thorough investigation to hold the accountable parties responsible."

Both Baker and Belzevick are set to appear in court in their respective cities this week.