Intruder at Canada PM residence faces multiple charges

ACanadian army reservist who forced his way onto the estate where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lives was carrying multiple weapons and is facing several charges, police said yesterday.

The suspect, who has not been formally named, was due on court to hear the charges against him over Thursday’s intrusion at Rideau Hall, Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman Mike Duheme said.

The man drove his pickup truck into the main gate of the estate, walked onto the grounds and was arrested without incident.

Duheme did not reveal the man’s motive.

Rideau Hall is the home of Governor-General Julie Payette, Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in Canada, a Commonwealth country.

Trudeau, his wife and three kids are staying at Rideau Cottage on that estate because work is being done on his official residence.

“I want to stress that there was never any danger of the prime minister and his family, nor to the governor-general, as neither were on the grounds at the time of the incident,” said Duheme.

“There is no risk to the public and from what (information) we have, he was acting alone,” he added.

The suspect is a member of the Rangers, a reserve unit of the Canadian army, news reports said.