Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his march across the country to protest the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
Topp’s arrival comes as Ottawa prepares to host the first in-person Canada Day events in three years, and the city braces for possible protests throughout the weekend and into September. ‘summer.
Hundreds of people, including People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier, gathered on Robertson Road in the west to greet Topp at 10 a.m. Friday as he began the march to Parliament Hill. Supporters held Canadian flags and signs supporting Topp and protest mandates.
Poilievre walked with Topp for two kilometers along Baseline Road just after noon. Poilievre spoke with Topp in College Square about the march across Canada.
“I support freedom of choice; I always have and believe that people should have the ability to decide for themselves on these matters,” Poilievre told Topp. “We should be free Canadians who can decide what we put in our bodies, decide what we think, decide who we are as people, and restore the freedom that brought so many millions of immigrants to this country in the first place. venue.”
Poilieve spoke briefly with CTV News Ottawa’s Jeremie Charron while walking with Topp.
“I think he advocates freedom of choice. People should have the freedom to make their own decisions with their own bodies and that’s why I think he’s been across the country and that’s why I thought that I would greet him and give an audience and see if he has any thoughts to share with me,” Poiliev said.The MP added that Topp told him he did not want to disrupt the capital on Canada Day.
Topp is expected to arrive at Hog’s Back Park at 1:30 p.m. and will complete his walk to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 6 p.m.
According to the Marches du Canada website, Topp is marching for three reasons: to protest federal government mandates for the COVID-19 vaccine, to support Canadians who have been denied access to jobs and services or lost income due to the mandate and on behalf of those who were pressured to get vaccinated.
“We stand up to serve Canadians with honesty, respect and compassion, with the goal of uniting our people. We do this, with the intention of ensuring that our government abides by the laws that support the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” states the Marches du Canada website. .
Speaking on Parliament Hill last week, Topp said a number of groups from the Freedom Convoy had come together to protest the federal government.
“What I would like to see with the creation of C3 – the Canadian Citizens Coalition, is that we have more conversations about the way forward, about the way forward, about what we see Canada being and becoming,” Topp said.
Topp, a 28-year-old veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, was charged by the Department of National Defense after he publicly denounced federal vaccine requirements while in uniform. Topp was charged with two counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline.
Ottawa police said earlier this week they were working with Topp and the Canada Marches group to facilitate safe travel to downtown Ottawa.
“We have been in contact with Mr. Topp and his group and have plans in place to ensure that he can travel safely and legally from the west end of the city to the buildings on the Hill of the Parliament,” Acting Leader Bell said Monday.
Topp arrives as police tighten security in the Parliamentary Precinct and downtown Ottawa for possible Canada Day protests. Officers in cruisers, on bicycles and on foot patrolled a motor vehicle control zone, designed to prevent vehicles taking part in rallies at protests from driving near Parliament Hill.
“Freedom” groups plan to hold a series of events and demonstrations in Ottawa on Canada Day.
The groups Police on Guard for Thee, Veterans 4 Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada are planning a “Family Picnic for Freedom” at Strathcona Park on Friday. Topp is to speak at the picnic.
According to the “Live from the Shed” Twitter account and the Freedom Fighters Canada website, other events planned for Canada Day include a “March to Freedom” from Parliament Hill at 3:30 p.m. speeches, live music and DJs on Parliament Hill. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Premier Doug Ford is asking everyone who attends protests in Ottawa to obey the law.
“Friends be considerate this weekend you are going to Ottawa please be considerate it’s Canada Day we are Canadian everyone have a good time safe time stay healthy and safe safety and spending time with your families,” Ford said.
MAXIME BERNIER WELCOMES THE TOP
Bernier welcomed Topp to Bells Corners and planned to ride the final leg of the trip with the veteran.
In a press release, Bernier said he would also press Poilievre to clarify his position on COVID mandates.
“He remained silent for two years, like all the other Conservative MPs,” Bernier said in a statement. “He was watching the polls and checking which way the wind was blowing, while I was having rallies across the country and getting arrested. And then when he got sure he decided it was time to take part in a carefully curated photo op during the motorcade He should stop lying about it.
With files from The Canadian Press