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
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.