St. Brigid's owner pleased with decision to uphold eviction of United People of Canada
The owner of the church that a Freedom Convoy-affiliated group has been occupying for weeks says he is pleased that a judge sided with him and ordered the group’s eviction.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Sally Gomery granted an application on Friday by the owners of St. Brigid’s in Lowertown to evict The United People of Canada (TUPOC) from the property, where they had set up what they called an “embassy.” The group was served an eviction notice more than a month ago, but dug in its heels, claiming the order was “illegal.”
Patrick McDonald, sought the court order to enforce the group's eviction, saying they failed to make $100,000 payments as part of a conditional sale of the church, owed $10,000 in rent and had broken heritage rules.
He told CTV News Friday night, as the group was packing up and leaving, that he was happy with the ruling.
“Delighted with the results. It was a very good decision and hopefully everything comes to a resolution, effective today,” McDonald said.
Gomery also ruled that TUPOC must pay $53,000 in costs to the owners of the property within 30 days. William Komer, the group's director, says TUPOC is planning to appeal the decision. Several members of the group could be seen packing up items Friday night.
McDonald said the occupation by TUPOC has been stressful.
“Sorry to the community down here that it’s been going on for such a period of time,” he said. “And my own family, obviously. It’s been a stressful time… We’d heard from some people in the TUPOC group that they’re going to stay here indefinitely… I’m glad that they’re packed up and gone.”
St. Brigid's Church was conditionally sold to the TUPOC group on June 15. Citizens in Lowertown expressed concern that some members of the group were affiliated with the convoy protest that occupied downtown Ottawa for three weeks in February. McDonald said the reaction to the new prospective owners was out of the ordinary.
“Normally, when someone comes to purchase a place, you don’t have immediate reaction to who they are,” he said. “Things turned and I think what has happened… is some of the people I had been originally introduced to disappeared off the scene—they were some of his business partners—and I think things went off the rail for him, as far as I can see.”
McDonald said Friday night that Komer hadn’t yet handed over the keys, but police told him that Komer was cooperating and removing his possessions from the property.
Ottawa police said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa that responding officers kept the peace at the scene as the occupants removed their belongings.
"When that was complete, the legal owner took possession of the property. There are no OPS officers at 310 St. Patrick Street today," Sgt. Jason Brown said in an email.
"Peace in the neighbourhood", residents say
Lowertown residents walking by St. Brigid's church on Saturday were happy to see TUPOC had left the property.
"These people have been rude, disruptive, disrespectful ….shooting people with water guns is ridiculous," said Sheila Ward.
"It was a really raw feeling and the feeling is very much alive in the community, and we are afraid it's going to start again."
Stuart MacMillan said the community did not want people affiliated with the group to be at the church.
"We're gonna have some peace in the neighbourhood for a while, it's great," MacMillan said.
St. Brigid's church remains on the market, with a $5.95 million price tag.
"This whole business has elevated the conversation about the value of St Brigid’s church and that it could be something incredible for our community," said Sylvie Bigras, president of the Lowertown Community Association.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Jeremie Charron.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.