Ottawa asked for permit for 'Freedom Family Picnic' in Strathcona Park on Friday
An Ottawa councillor is concerned "Freedom" groups planning to hold protests in Ottawa on Canada Day are inviting people to a picnic in a Sandy Hill park.
The groups Police on Guard for Thee, Veterans 4 Freedom and Freedom Fighters Canada are planning a "Freedom Family Picnic" in Strathcona Park on Friday. The original plan to hold a picnic on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada was cancelled when authorities erected a fence around the property.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury says he is holding discussions with city staff and authorities about the plans for the picnic in his ward.
"So far no permits are issued, but I understand the permit process has been initiated," Fleury told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.
"We're working with the city to see what can be done to not allow it, and if it's allowed to have tight, tight, tight restrictions to limit the impacts on the neighbourhood."
Fleury says the permit request is under review, and the permit needs to be finalized by 2 p.m. on Thursday.
"My wishes are that any form of any element relating to the convoy would be outside of residential areas or outside of my community, but as you know we have also limited authorities," Fleury said. "It's pending review currently."
Social media posts say the Freedom Family Picnic will include kid's games, costumed characters and speeches, featuring Canadian veteran James Topp, who is scheduled to complete a cross-Canada march to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates at the National War Memorial on Thursday.
Cameron asked if the picnic could proceed if there is no permit issued by the city of Ottawa for Strathcona Park.
"The chief is clear, anything that's not permitted will not be tolerated; so if there's no permitted issued or if there's permitted issued but there's restrictions, everything needs to be expected," Fleury said, adding any picnic beyond the size of a family event requires a permit.
"I would expect the appropriate level of enforcement by parks staff, bylaw, and if needed, police."
According to the Twitter account "Live from the Shed" and the Freedom Fighters Canada website, other events planned for Canada Day include a "March to Freedom" starting from Parliament Hill at 3:30 p.m. and speeches, live music and DJs on Parliament Hill from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.