OTTAWA –
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poillievre joined the final leg of a march led by a Canadian soldier accused of speaking out against calls for a COVID-19 vaccine, sparking promises — and fears — of a new wave of protests in the capital.
James Topp was charged in February with two counts of disorderly conduct for comments made while in uniform and has since led a four-month march to the capital from Vancouver.
His march was supported by many of the same figures involved in the “Freedom Convoy,” which rumbled through downtown Ottawa for weeks until police used force to end what they and the government described as an illegal occupation.
His arrival in the capital and promises of a new round of protests starting on Canada Day have unnerved residents. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and the city’s acting police chief, Steve Bell, vowed to crack down on any illegal activity.
Poilievre walked next to Topp about half an hour after the two met shortly before noon in the parking lot of a shopping mall west of downtown Ottawa, where hundreds of people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the Army reservist.
Video of the meeting shows Poilievre voicing his opposition to vaccine mandates and citing to Top a famous quote from then-prime minister John Diefenbaker about being a “free Canadian” when he signed the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960.
When Topp said he wanted reinstatement and benefits for anyone who lost their job due to vaccine mandates, Poilievre responded, “Anyone who lost their job simply because of a COVID mandate should be reinstated, without doubt”.
The two also spoke about divisions in Canada, with Poilievre saying, “People are desperate for hope … I think it’s time to bring this country back together, heal the wounds and unite our country.”
The two were then followed by about 200 supporters, many carrying Canadian flags and some sporting camouflage backpacks and other gear, as they walked the sidewalk on Main Street about half an hour before Poilievre left.
A few hours later, hundreds of people gathered in a park south of downtown Ottawa along the Rideau Canal for the final stretch to the National War Memorial. A long line of demonstrators wound along the park as people, including at least one wearing a black bulletproof vest, waited impatiently for the Army reservist to get things started.
At one point, the crowd was greeted with a speech by a man wearing a military beret and civilian clothes, who condemned Defense Chief General Wayne Eyre’s order that all members of the Canadian armed forces be fully vaccinated. Members of the crowd booed loudly.
Top’s supporters lined up to shake his hand, hug him and take selfies, with the crowd chanting his name intermittently. He asked them to behave with honor and dignity as they proceeded to the “closing ceremonies” at the war memorial.
Demonstrators of various ages, including children, shouted “Freedom!” as they began to leave the park and make their way downtown. The “Freedom” call was a major part of the protests that jammed Ottawa in January and February.
The crowd gathered in downtown Ottawa cheered loudly and broke into chants of “Freedom” when Topp arrived Thursday night.
Poilievre’s appearance with Topp comes as the presumptive Conservative leadership front-runner has been accused of blatant pandering to anti-vaccine protesters and other groups associated with the Freedom Convoy.
Tamara Leach, leader of the convoy that blockaded Ottawa in February, made a brief court appearance Thursday after allegedly violating one of her bail conditions. Leach, who faces multiple charges including mischief and obstructing police, will remain in custody until her hearing on Tuesday.
Many demonstrators declined to be interviewed, saying they did not trust their words would not be twisted.
But Ottawa resident Richard Gervais, who was among hundreds of people marching along the Rideau Canal toward downtown Ottawa, called Topp “an inspiration to us all.”
“Here he is, the most peaceful, kindest, most dignified human being you could ever want to meet, and he’s walking across Canada to make a point,” he added.
Gervais said his grown son was one of hundreds of federal government workers forced to take unpaid leave because he refused to get vaccinated.
While the requirement has since been suspended, “we never know when they’re going to come back,” Gervais said. “And we know he can come back on the tiniest excuse.”
He went on to accuse the World Economic Forum of trying to take away Canada’s sovereignty while questioning the severity of COVID-19 and the efficacy of vaccines. All of these claims feature prominently in the discourse surrounding the Freedom Convoy.
Topp said he has no plans to lead an occupation of the capital and invited Ottawa police to work with him to facilitate his march through the city.
However, an organizer for a group calling itself Veterans 4 Freedom said in a recent video posted on YouTube that it plans to set up a semi-permanent camp east of Ottawa called “Camp Eagle” and hold events in the city throughout the summer.
Although police have since been able to prevent similar protests from taking over the city, stopping the planned Canada Day demonstrations from getting out of hand is likely to be complicated by the presence of thousands of people celebrating the holiday.
The charges against Topp stem from two videos posted online over the winter in which the Army reservist appeared in uniform criticizing vaccine requirements for military personnel and other federal employees.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are heavily restricted in the comments they can make while in uniform, particularly when it comes to criticizing government policies, largely to protect the military from any perception of politicization.
His lawyer argued that such restrictions should not apply to policies that personally affect members of the armed forces.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said police take their responsibility to keep people safe during Canada Day celebrations “very seriously,” while Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged those planning to protest in Ottawa to abide by the law.
“I’m all for peaceful protests and you can demonstrate, but no nonsense this weekend, just be peaceful and let the people of Ottawa enjoy their weekend,” he said.
“Honestly, we shouldn’t even be going through this. It’s disappointing, but it is what it is.”
More than two dozen Conservative MPs hosted Topp and other leading figures in a “Freedom Convoy” on Parliament Hill last week, posing for photos, pledging their support and listening to a lecture about the alleged dangers of COVID-19 vaccines.
Health Canada says only vaccines that meet strict safety, efficacy and quality standards are approved for use in the country, and the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines continue to outweigh the risks of the disease. About 85 percent of Canadians have received at least one dose.
Topp told lawmakers he was marching in part to repeal all vaccine mandates, as well as reinstatement for anyone who lost their job because of such a requirement and compensation for lost wages.
At the same time, he and others raised the specter of civil war, describing the state of the country.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 30, 2022.
— With files from Sarah Ritchie
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