‘That has no place in Ontario or Canada’: Doug Ford denounces protesting truckers

After days of silence, Premier Doug Ford is denouncing the controversial demonstration by truckers on Parliament Hill.

“The right to peaceful protest is core to our Canadian identity,” Ford said Monday in the wake of political rivals demanding he speak out about the rally against vaccination mandates for truckers who cross the Canada-US border.

“I was extremely disturbed, however, to see some individuals desecrate our most sacred monuments and wave swastikas and other symbols of hate and intolerance this weekend,” the premier said in a statement.

“That has no place in Ontario or Canada. Not now. Not ever. ”

Ford, whose Etobicoke home has been the target of weekly protests by anti-vaxxers and those opposed to pandemic lockdowns for the past 19 months, noted “Ontario is beginning to ease some public health measures” as of Monday.

That return to allowing indoor dining at restaurants and bars, among other things, is “the first step in returning to normal” after nearly two years of restrictions in the province, “he said.

“All Ontarians are united in their desire to put this pandemic behind us and return to the life we ​​knew before COVID-19.”

The premier will meet with reporters on Tuesday in Ajax, where he will be asked about a rally that saw protesters dance on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, urinate on the National War Memorial, place signs on the Terry Fox statue, and brandish Nazi banners and rebel flags of the pro-slavery Confederacy.

Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister Lisa MacLeod, who represents the riding of Nepean, said “the residents and families of Ottawa need to return to work and school.”

“To the protesters remaining – you’ve been heard – please go home,” MacLeod said on Twitter.

Liberal MPP John Fraser (Ottawa South), who has been criticizing Ford since last Thursday over his reticence to comment on the protest, said the prime minister’s statement “does not go far enough.”

“What I can not understand is what is stopping you from standing with the people of Ottawa by saying to the protesters: Enough is enough. It’s time for you to leave, ” Fraser tweeted.

“It’s truly puzzling.”

NDP MPP Joel Harden (Ottawa Center), whose riding includes Parliament Hill, implored Ford to ask provincial inspectors “to investigate and fine dangerous, selfish actions happening now in Ottawa.

“This is not a protest, this is organized harassment. DO something, ” Harden tweeted.

Numerous downtown Ottawa restaurants, shops, and other businesses have been forced to close due to scores of truckers blocking downtown streets.

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of Conduct. The Star does not endorse these opinions.



Reference-www.thestar.com

Leave a Comment