Protester who confronted PM pleads not guilty to obstruction

MONTREAL — A protester who angrily confronted the prime minister in Montreal during Quebec’s Fête nationale holiday appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to one count of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty.

The Crown refused to remove a bail condition forbidding Matthieu Brien, 31, from engaging in political activity or being in the presence of a politician, said his lawyer, Marc Michaud.

Michaud said if the case isn’t settled by the Oct. 1 provincial election, Brien — who is a member of a political party — won’t be able to vote.

“It takes a way all the political rights of my client,” Michaud said in an interview.

Brien confronted Justin Trudeau on June 23 as the prime minister was greeting citizens in a park located in his riding and said the Canadian leader “came to bother us at home.”

“You came to speak English to us?” Brien asked Trudeau in French. “Isn’t your party next week?” he said, referring to Canada Day. Trudeau replied: “I am home.” Michaud said the charge of obstruction is tied to what happened after Brien made the remarks, but wouldn’t go into details.

Michaud said he will file a motion in Superior Court this week seeking to annul the bail condition preventing his client from participating in political activity.

Brien is a member of a sovereigntist political party, Michaud said, but wouldn’t say which one.

Local media reported he worked for the Bloc Québécois.