No specifics from feds over tents at War Memorial
Minister Anand cites `right to peaceful protest' as critics argue trespass laws
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement again said the government was “engaged” with law enforcement Friday, but offered no specifics about when or if an anti-government protest camp in its fourth month would be ousted from the National War Memorial.
Minister Anita Anand was asked if people would see the camp as they paid their respects to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on Oct. 22, the sixth anniversary of the 24-yearold soldier being gunned down as he stood guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“As I said, it's an extremely important question and an extremely important issue,” she said. “It is something that we are engaged with city officials on as well as legal authorities and we will have more to say on this in the coming days.”
While the encampment had shrunk to just a handful of tents by Friday morning, there have been complaints of threats, harassment and intimidation by its members and criticism of government inaction.
“The first thing we have to remember is that all Canadians have the right to peaceful protest, but, in respecting memorials, it is important that Canadians are able to pay their respects without harassment and other troubles that may be in the surrounding area,” Anand said after announcing funding for National Capital Commission infrastructure in Britannia.
The encampment on a patch of grass next to the cenotaph has been in place since Canada Day.
The minister's office said last week that “the incidents of harassment reported in recent days in Ottawa must be addressed,” adding that “to that end, we are engaged with law enforcement.”
One of the protesters accosted NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on Wellington Street on Sept. 25, threatening him with a “citizen's arrest.” The same man followed and harassed a Radio-Canada reporter on Sparks Street, apparently mistaking him for an MP.
The members of the encampment have described themselves as anti-government protesters with a mishmash of causes from allegations of government corruption to anti-mask views amid the COVID-19 pandemic and “one world government” conspiracies.
Pierre Paul-Hus, a veteran and the Conservative critic for PSPC, has demanded the government find a solution, arguing the encampment is “not in the keeping with the solemn spirit of the monument to honour our veterans.”
Mayor Jim Watson raised the issue at a the last Ottawa Police Services Board meeting, calling the camp “inexcusable” and “disrespectful” to the sacrifice honoured by the war memorial. Chief Peter Sloly said the site was managed by PSPC and police were awaiting direction from the federal government to enforce trespass laws.
The Trespass to Property Act was used by police to remove Occupy Ottawa protesters who had camped for five weeks in Confederation Park. While one of eight people arrested and fined launched a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the courts upheld the arrests and evictions.