Bernier, Hillier ticketed after speaking at anti-lockdown rally
Politicians address hundreds gathered at Confederation Square
City police charged both Maxime Bernier, the leader of the federal People’s Party of Canada, and independent MPP
Randy Hillier with breaching the stay-at-home-order in an angry melee at an anti-lockdown protest at Confederation Square on Saturday.
Police handed a court summons to each politician. Bernier and Hillier were speakers at the rally, which filled the square with hundreds of people (most of whom weren’t wearing masks).
Three tickets were issued under the Reopening Ontario Act, police reported, along with five other tickets related to other provincial offences. Police continue to investigate and may lay other charges. Organizers said there were 1,200 people there, but police Chief Scott Gilbert estimated 600.
Gilbert said there will be no out-of-court settlements for the politicians.
The fine could be up to $5,000 or more, he said.
Bernier and Hillier have been travelling to protests bringing a message of how lockdowns and masks are infringing on the
rights and freedoms of Canadians.
Mayor Diane Therrien had tweeted earlier in the week that the politicians should “stay TF home.”
“Well I have a message for (Therrien),” Bernier said. “Canada is my home, and I have a constitutional right to travel. We are here today because our freedoms are under attack … What is happening right now is not Canadian.”
Organized outdoor gatherings are currently illegal under the Reopening Ontario Act.
Bernier was charged first on Saturday, as he tried to leave the square after his remarks. Hillier was speaking into the microphone at the Cenotaph at the time.
Hillier was expressing his “disgust” for police who were present, a departure from the local organizers who’d thanked police in their earlier remarks.
Hillier then took it further, daring police to come ticket him at the podium.
“You come up here when I’m at the microphone! Don’t be a coward — give me my ticket right now! I am not going to live in a police state!” Hillier said.
By then Bernier was wending his way through the crowd to leave the square, and as police approached him many angry people formed a circle around them.
Moments later Hillier left the Cenotaph to join the melee, was met by Gilbert and was also charged.
Rallygoers then marched south on George Street before turning around and heading north on Water Street.
Police had closed off George Street between London and Simcoe streets earlier in the day, with cruisers at cross streets. Drivers and transit buses were detoured.
“You come up here when I’m at the microphone! Don’t be a coward — give me my ticket right now! I am not going to live in a police state!”
MPP RANDY HILLIER ADDRESSING POLICE AT RALLY