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
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.