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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - No charges will be laid against a woman who left an abusive, profanity-laced message on the answering machine of Thebacha MLA and cabinet minister Michael Miltenberger.

The deputy premier had brought a copy of the recording to Fort Smith RCMP and asked about filing charges against the woman.

"It was basically accusing me of stealing (First Nations) band money," he said. "Over a minute or so she called me a f—king bastard, a stealer to some length."

Miltenberger said he gave a copy of the recording to the RCMP because he wants "bullying" like this to stop.

Sgt. Grant Payne of Fort Smith RCMP said he was contacted by Miltenberger's office on Oct. 1 and asked that charges not be considered.

Instead, Miltenberger's office asked the RCMP to talk to the woman.

"Their wishes right now are to express to the person who made the call that they don't want any more calls to the office," Payne said.

The sergeant said that is how such cases are usually handled. Payne explained, when a person is told not to call but continues to do so, it could then become a criminal matter of harassment.

Miltenberger said he brought the matter to police to raise public awareness that people don't have to put up with such abuse.

"It happens not only to me but also other folks involved in political campaigns," he said. "It happens to teachers, nurses, doctors, people who work in stores."

Miltenberger said such calls are part of a sub-culture of aggression and abuse. "Normally, we all just sort of shake our heads and that is just the way it is," he said. "That is not the way it should be. It is like being in an abusive relationship."

Miltenberger said the issue needs to be taken seriously.

"People figure it's OK, but if the shoe is on the other foot, they would be the first to cry foul and demand some kind of human sacrifice," he said.

"I think people have to take this out of the shadows and recognize that they don't have to let themselves be abused," he added.

"The vast majority of people in Smith are way better than that. We have to raise the level of debate. We have to raise the level of what's acceptable in terms of the behaviour. It is time to say enough."

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos said he has occasionally received such calls or been accosted in the street by a disgruntled resident, once or twice a year.

"It's part of my job. That's the way I look at it," Martselos said. "But I don't support abuse and I don't support people swearing and threatening people without respect."

The mayor said he only calls the police if someone is out of control, such as the rare occasion when a person is intoxicated and causing a disturbance at a public meeting.

Martselos does not believe the problem is unique to Fort Smith.

"I'm not concerned, because I believe every community deals with the same issues," he said, adding he believes most of the problem is caused by alcohol.

Miltenberger himself was accused of making what some people interpreted as threatening comments in the legislative assembly in October 2006

Miltenberger was accused of threatening Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay's wife and brother with the possibility of losing their jobs.

Miltenberger apologized twice, but was removed from his cabinet seat by the legislative assembly in an 11-7 vote.