The MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex is urging protestors to be respectful and peaceful ahead of a planned demonstration in Toronto.
A group aligning itself with the “Freedom Convoy” demonstration, which has occupied the city of Ottawa since this past weekend, is calling for a protest against vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions at Queen’s Park on Saturday.
MPP and Labour Minister Monte McNaughton would not say if he or other MPPs would meet with protestors should they arrive in Toronto over the weekend.
“I’m not going to speak on behalf of my colleagues, but I can tell you we’ve had the backs of truckers throughout this pandemic,” he said, pointing to the province’s Working For Workers Act.
The Line Canada, the group calling for the demonstration in Toronto, describes itself as “a national movement of resistance created by the people to end oppression and tyranny.”
The Toronto Police Service has said it is aware of the planned demonstration for Saturday in the downtown core and will be deploying officers accordingly to ensure public safety.
“We’re taking a very cautious and measured approach,” said McNaughton. “We want to beat COVID-19 once and for all. We know there’s concerns out there. We heard, loudly in Ottawa over the past number of days, the issues they have with the federal government and the mandate. But my message is, be peaceful, be respectful. Ensure people can live life normally.”
McNaughton does not believe there is any concern for safety related to the demonstrations, despite a recent disturbing social media post by Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP Randy Hillier.
On Wednesday, Hillier posted a picture of gas cans and motor shells on Twitter, with hashtags that referenced the “Freedom Convoy” and ending vaccine mandates. The post was later deleted but a screen capture of the tweet can be viewed below.
“This is not Canada when you hear an elected member say things like that. We’ve come so far, all of us together, to battle COVID-19,” said McNaughton. “It is disturbing. It’s wrong. It’s not Canadian. This is Canada, we work together. This is a global pandemic that has changed the lives of every single person in this country. We have to work together to overcome this.”
