We learned more details Wednesday about a march across Canada coming to Ottawa before Canada Day weekend.
James Topp is protesting the pandemic mandates and has met with some federal MPs, including Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant, who is sympathetic to his cause.
Topp is due to complete his cross-country trip June 30 in Ottawa.
Wednesday marked the first official meeting between key figures in the ‘Freedom Movement’ and federal members of Parliament.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for responding to this invitation and for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend this meeting,” Topp said.
The meeting, which took place inside a House of Commons meeting room, was led by Topp, a Canadian soldier discharged for speaking out against federal vaccination mandates.
The group says they are forming a new coalition.
“What I would like to see with the establishment of C3 – the Coalition of Canadian Citizens is that we have more conversations about the way forward, about the way of the future, of what we see Canada being and becoming,” Topp said.
Topp’s cross-country protest will end with a celebration in Ottawa on June 30. Several “Movement for Freedom” organizers are also planning protests throughout the summer. Ottawa Police will provide an update on their Canada Day plans on Monday.
The group says it wants the government to rescind the remaining mandates and reinstate workers who lost their jobs, something the government has already committed to as well.
They also want to pay workers who lost their wages and repair what they say is a divide among Canadians.
“This is not the Freedom Convoy part 2, I was inspired by the protest earlier this year,” Topp said.
Among those present with Topp to speak with parliamentarians: Daniel Bulford, Tom Marazzo and Dr. Paul Alexander, who played key roles in the Freedom Convoy.
“The pandemic is over, COVID is over, we know, it’s time to end emergency declarations,” Dr. Alexander said.
“James has been in a Civil War, I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen here, but there are a lot of similarities if you look at history, we don’t want that, but we’re going down a dark path,” added Marazzo.
More than a dozen parliamentarians were present at the meeting, not all of them stayed until the end, but one had a clear message.
“You have support, you’ve had it all along,” said Saskatchewan MP Jeremy Patzer.
THE CITY OF OTTAWA PREPARES FOR CANADA DAY
City Manager Steve Kanellakos says the city is working “very closely” with Ottawa police to implement a plan for Canada Day and any Canada Birthday protests.
Mayor Jim Watson, city staff and police will release details about the road closures and the police plan on Monday.
Watson has a message for Canadians planning a trip to Ottawa for Canada Day, but he may be worried about potential protests.
“My message to people who want to come and celebrate our nation’s birthday is don’t be intimidated by people who may come to Ottawa and cause trouble,” Watson said.
“Those people who want to come here to cause trouble, think carefully about that. This is a celebration of our country, our past, our present and our future. It’s an event for families, children, seniors and the last thing anyone will tolerate or will put up with is the kind of behavior we saw during the trucking rally.
“The bottom line is we want people to come and have a nice quiet time on Parliament Hill and also LeBreton and all over ByWard Market and downtown, please support our local businesses because they’ve been struggling. If people You’re coming to cause trouble, think twice. This is not an opportunity for you to use our city as a platform for various grievances; let the people of Canada celebrate their nation’s birthday in peace.”
With files from Josh Pringle of CTV News Ottawa
Reference-ottawa.ctvnews.ca