Armed Man Who Crashed Truck Into Rideau Hall Granted Conditional Release

A police robot approaches a pickup truck inside the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa on July 2, 2020. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

A former Canadian Armed Forces reservist who drove a truck loaded with weapons through the gates of Rideau Hall with the intention to confront the prime minister has been freed on statutory release.

According to a Parole Board of Canada decision obtained by The Epoch Times, Corey Hurren was scheduled for release from prison on July 7 following a change to his sentencing. After staying in a community residential facility on weekends for around six months with no issues, Mr. Hurren will transition to a room at the house through a community organization.

Under advice from the Correctional Service of Canada, the Parole Board imposed several conditions upon Mr. Hurren for his release. He must remain gainfully employed or continue actively searching for employment, provide documented financial information to his parole officer, and take prescribed medication to manage his mental health.

Mr. Hurren is also directed to follow psychological counselling to address “mental health issues and reintegration stressors.” The document notes that Mr. Hurren had been suffering from depression that led to his offences, and that he still needs to improve on his emotional behaviour.

The judge said there had been no reported issues with Mr. Hurren’s behaviour while staying at the community residential facility, and he had been engaging in “pro-social activities in the community” such as a support group and church. The judge also noted that he had expressed regret for his actions.

Standoff

On July 2, 2020, Mr. Hurren, a military reservist, drove his pickup truck through the gates of Rideau Hall, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was holding daily press conferences. Mr. Hurren had a semi-automatic rifle, two handguns, two shotguns, and a knife in his truck.

After setting out on foot with several firearms, Mr. Hurren got into a 90-minute standoff with RCMP officers. The Manitoban said he had come to Ottawa to arrest Mr. Trudeau, and that he was angry with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and recent amendments to the country’s firearm laws. The RCMP officers were able to talk Mr. Hurren down and arrest him.

In February 2021, Mr. Hurren pleaded guilty to eight charges involving possession of loaded firearms in a public place, possession of prohibited weapons and a high-capacity magazine without authorization, and mischief by wilfully damaging property. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

In March 2023, the Ontario Court of Appeal rejected a sentencing appeal in the case, with the judge saying the crimes “cried out for denunciation” and that the sentence would deter others from doing something similar. Mr. Hurren’s lawyer had said the initial judge did not pay enough attention to the mental health issues that played into the offences.