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Steve Bell, acting chief of police in Ottawa, says police will not tolerate homophobic, misogynistic or racist messages at Canada Day events. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia
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The Ottawa Police Department has vowed not to tolerate homophobic, misogynistic or racist messages – including in speeches, gestures or signs – in public during Canada Day events this week, and said they could lead to criminal charges.
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During an update on Canada Day planning at a meeting of the Ottawa Police Council on Monday night, interim OPS chief Steve Bell was asked by board member Jeff Leper if police would tolerate homophobic, misogynistic or racist messages when they are “unaccompanied by otherwise illegal conduct”
“I think the easiest way to answer that is simply no,” Bell said, promising to “actively respond” and investigate incidents of hate or bias, intimidation or threats.
In an email Tuesday morning, in response to questions from this newspaper about the chief’s comments and the planned police response for Canada Day, a spokesman for the Ottawa Police Department Cst. Mike Kudrasov confirmed that “Communication (spoken or written words, gestures or signs) of homophobic, misogynistic and / or racist messages in public will be investigated and may lead to various criminal charges, including public incitement to hatred, Section 319 ( 1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
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“These will NOT be tolerated.”
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Ottawa mayor and acting police chief assure residents it is safe to celebrate Canada Day in the city center despite “freedom” protests
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Canada Day Police Events Will Be a “Load” on Ottawa Police Resources: OPS Event Commander
Asked if there were any other actions the Ottawa police would take in response to such reports, other than an investigation and possible indictment, OPS said it would “take all appropriate measures to prevent the crime from continuing.”
In response to Leper’s question Monday night, Bell said the forces are trying to be very clear about their position on July 1 – when hundreds of thousands of entertainers are expected to visit downtown Ottawa for the Canada Day celebrations, along with protesters of various “freedoms”. Groups organized in part by people involved in the Freedom Convoy protest that occupied downtown Ottawa earlier this year and the Rolling Thunder motorcycle-themed rally in April.
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“Canada Day [is] a very important day for Canadians. This is a day when we celebrate our country and all the good things in it. But people … when they come, they have to be legal. And they have to respect our community, “Bell told board members.
“We know the signs that our community has been feeling since the days of late January, early February, when there were all the negative interactions with people who were present and occupied and protested illegally on our streets. We heard them. We listened to them. And I want to assure you that these feelings, this trauma that our community has experienced, is at the forefront and at the center of all our planning efforts and will be at the forefront and at the center of our response efforts. “
If people experience harassment, intimidation or hate-based activities, Bell said they should contact Ottawa police. Depending on the threat, they can use 911 for emergency reports either online or over the phone for non-emergency reports, at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300.
Those in the city center will also see police officers, Bell noted. “You can also let them know what’s going on.”
“So there are many different ways to contact us. Our request is that if you see something … that you are worried about, don’t forget to contact us and we will investigate. “
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