Rebel News sues RCMP after staffer arrested

NO CHARGES LAID

Rebel News has filed a lawsuit against the RCMP after one of its officers arrested commentator David Menzies in January without filing any charges.

The document accuses the RCMP of engaging “in a pattern of intimidation and exclusion,” according to the legal documents that were published online Tuesday. The Attorney General of Canada and local York Regional Police (YRP) were also listed in the legal action.

“The defendants are jointly and severally liable for wrongful detention and wrongful arrest,” the lawsuit alleges. “The RCMP and the YRP, and their respective officers, all owed Mr. Menzies a duty of care in the context of their investigation and his arrest.”

Veteran Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon is representing Menzies and Rebel News.

In January, Menzies attempted to question Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was in Richmond Hill attending a vigil commemorating the victims aboard Flight PS752 that led to the deaths of nearly 200 people, including dozens of Canadians, following an Iranian missile strike.

When Menzies approached Freeland with a microphone in his hand, the officer physically intervened, grabbed the reporter by his jacket lapels, and forced him against a nearby wall. “You're under arrest,” the RCMP officer said. “You're under arrest for assault."

“Why am I under arrest, you bumped into me,” Menzies asks in a video that captured the incident.

“You pushed into me,” the officer replies, prompting Menzies to ask for his name and badge number. The RCMP member does not appear to answer the question.

“You've been told you're under arrest,” another law enforcement agent dressed in a suit says as he places his hands on Menzies.

“Why am I under arrest? He blocked my way,” Menzies asks the officer. The first officer then explains he is a peace officer and that he is under arrest for assaulting a peace officer.

The incident made international headlines and drew Pierre Poilievre's condemnation. “This is the state of freedom of the press. In Canada. In 2024. After 8 years of Trudeau,” the Conservative Party leader wrote on X above the viral clip.

Following the arrest, Menzies was released with no formal charges filed.

“The arrest of the Rebel News reporter was made by the Prime Minister's RCMP security detail. York Regional Police officers assisted as the interaction took place in our region,” Const. Lisa Moskaluk, a media relations officer with York police, said at the time. “It was determined that no credible security threat existed and the subject was released unconditionally shortly thereafter.”

Rebel News owner and founder Ezra Levant pledged to bring legal action against the RCMP.

The RCMP declined to comment on the case.