Ottawa police say they will not charge a woman who danced at the tomb of an unknown soldier at the National War Memorial during a convoy protest last winter.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday morning about an upcoming multi-day motorcycle rally, Deputy Chief Trish Ferguon said he believed charges would be filed, but after a subsequent question to police, the comment was disputed.
A police spokesman said the woman would not be charged.
“A woman living outside the province has been identified. She was interviewed, she showed remorse for her actions and the police are convinced that she will not commit another crime, “the email said.
“She was treated differently, which is police practice.
Asked to clarify what this meant, the spokesman said police sometimes used “informal trials” to complete criminal investigations, which could include the use of city by-laws, diversion programs or warnings.
“[We] “We are pleased that this is an isolated incident that will not be repeated by this man,” Ottawa police said in an email.
The January 29 incident drew widespread condemnation from politicians. This came on the first day of a protest by the Freedom Convoy, which turned into a week-long occupation of the streets around Parliament Hill.
Protesters posed for photos with their banners in front of the National War Memorial as veterans cleared snow and ice from the tomb of an unknown soldier in Ottawa two weeks after the convoy’s protest. (Frank Gunn / Canadian Press)
The tomb of the unknown soldier contains the remains of an “unidentified Canadian soldier from the British Cabaret Rouge in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge,” according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
They were laid to rest at the northern end of Elgin Street in May 2000.
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