Freedom Advocacy Groups Warn About Convoys Heading to Ontario

Protesters gather and wave flags during a demonstration in downtown Ottawa on April 30, 2022. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Freedom advocacy groups have warned about convoys they are not affiliated with that are heading to Ontario, raising doubts about their stated intention of being peaceful in nature.

“Information received has led us to believe this may not be a peaceful protest,” said the groups Police on Guard, Veterans for Freedom, and Mama Bears in a joint statement issued on X (formerly Twitter). These groups have been involved in many of the protests in recent months around political and social issues.

“We will always support legal, peaceful protests, which is our fundamental right provided by our Charter,” they said. “We cannot nor will we support actions that aim to undermine our democratic and judicial process.”

The statement was in response to some groups from across the country deciding to converge on Ontario, but remaining vague about what they intend to do.

One group from Western Canada says they are heading east this week in support of freedom in the country. Albertan Ron Clark has posted videos to his Facebook page as the group moves from Alberta and Saskatchewan into Ontario. The group is also being discussed on X under the hashtag #SaveTheChildrenConvoy.

In a video posted Sept. 27, Mr. Clark says they’ve arrived in Dryden, Ontario. He did not offer details about the group’s plans when they arrived in Ontario, but he indicated it was political. “We need change, and we need change quick,” he said. Mr. Clark added that his group is peaceful in nature.

He said they were not just looking for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to leave office.

“That’s not a win. It is a win, but it’s not because we still have all of their minions that are still going to be running this country. And that’s not acceptable.”

RCMP Remain ‘Attentive’ to Situation

The RCMP told The Epoch Times that they were aware of the group heading across Canada.

“RCMP O Division, in concert with our policing partners, is aware that a group from Alberta and Saskatchewan is travelling eastward in the direction of Ontario. Together, we remain attentive to this developing situation,” they said in an email.

“The RCMP’s top priority is the safety and security of our communities.”

The Ottawa Police Service also issued a news release advising of potential protests in the area.

“We continue to closely monitor the potential for vehicle-based protests happening in or travelling through Ottawa,” the release said.

“Should this occur, residents and businesses will see an increased police presence in the downtown core and surrounding areas.”

However, Ottawa Police said they did not have any specific information about large-scale demonstrations planned, but said the potential for “some level of protests exists.”

They said they would have resources, logistics, traffic, towing, and staffing plans in place to deal with any situation that arises.

“Illegal activity or obstructing or impeding the flow of traffic with vehicles on any roadway will not be tolerated and will be met with immediate action,” the release said.

A post on Mr. Clark’s Facebook page indicates the group left the Calgary area on Sept. 25 and plans to gather on Sept. 29 in Sault Ste. Marie. The Epoch Times was unsuccessful in reaching him.

Canadian Freedom Convey Court Case

The groups’ move east comes as two of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, which protested vaccine mandates and masking in Ottawa in early 2022, are in court facing charges for their involvement.

For three weeks, hundreds of vehicles gathered in downtown Ottawa to demand an end to vaccine mandates and COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Chris Barber and Tamara Lich were arrested and charged with mischief, counselling to commit mischief, intimidation, and obstructing police. Mr. Barber has also been charged with counselling others to disobey court orders. The trial began earlier in September.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to stop the protest.