The City of Ottawa has promised strict enforcement of new, hefty fines as it heads into Canada Day weekend.
“While the City of Ottawa respects the fundamental right to protest, the City is responsible for ensuring residents and visitors feel safe in our community. Canada Day is a celebration of our people and values. The City upholds those values: a diversity of minds, perspectives, cultures and lived experiences, and denounces any displays of hate and racism,” said the press release.
“Sometimes we see people who disregard these same values, and this can affect everyone differently.”
Carleton University criminologist Darryl Davies says he finds the new fines excessive, citing alternatives such as providing a sufficient number of portable toilets to keep people from “relieving themselves wherever they can.”
“I think the increase in fines is unwarranted. Canada Day is a time to celebrate and show patriotism,” Davies told the Epoch Times.
“I found it interesting that in the past there were a lot of people under age who were carrying booze with them and who were drinking alcohol underage and yet I find no mention of this in the notification issued by the City,” he added.
Veteran Protesting Mandates Arrives in Ottawa
James Topp, a veteran who has marched from the west coast to protest vaccine mandates, is marching in Ottawa today. People’s Party of Canada (PPC) leader Maxime Bernier and hundreds of others joined Topp this morning for the last leg of his journey, some carrying signs in support of Topp or protesting vaccine mandates.Interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell said on June 27 they were working with Topp to allow his march to take place “safely and lawfully.”
His journey will finish at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at 6 pm tonight. Freedom groups have planned a “Freedom Family Picnic” in Strathcona Park in Ottawa on Canada Day. Topp is scheduled to speak at the picnic.