Organizers and supporters of the “Freedom Convoy 2.0” are divided over whether another event inspired by last year’s disruptive protest in the capital will take place in Ottawa and Winnipeg next month.
Several key figures from last February’s protest, which occupied the capital’s downtown streets for nearly a month, insist people will gather in Manitoba in mid-February despite a press release from a main organizer claiming otherwise.
James Bauder, co-founder of the anti-government group Canada Unity and a co-organizer of last February’s protest in Ottawa, said in a Facebook post on Monday he was cancelling “Freedom Convoy 2.0” for unspecified security reasons.
“I have had several security breaches, and personal character attacks made against me and others on Team Canada Unity,” Bauder said in the post.
“As a result of these security breaches that are beyond our control, I cannot in good conscience guarantee public safety as I promised.”
In a text to CBC, Bauder wrote: “There will be no convoy anywhere in Canada be it Ottawa or Winnipeg with my name, with the Canada Unity Freedom Convoy brand.”
Bauder had originally called for protests to return to Ottawa for a three-day demonstration starting Feb. 17. He later said that Ottawa would be a stop on the way to a protest in Winnipeg.
James Bauder appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Nov. 3, 2022. Bauder, co-founder of anti-government group Canada Unity, said in a Facebook post Monday that a revival of the self-styled Freedom Convoy set for February 2023 is cancelled. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Other supporters, meanwhile, contradicted Bauder’s assertions. Another organizer who announced the convoy 2.0 plan for Winnipeg alongside Bauder claimed the event will move ahead.
“Multiple people and groups are involved. The world unity convoy 2023 is not cancelled,” Ron Clark wrote in an email to CBC.
Likewise, Tyson Billings — also known as “Freedom George” — said he still plans to attend a convoy gathering in Winnipeg next month.
“I don’t know if there’s something still going to Ottawa or not,” he said. “But the main convoy — the World Unity Convoy — is about unity and it’s about bringing the people together.”
Fractures emerge in movement
The mixed messaging comes as the Freedom Convoy movement, which began as protests against COVID-19 vaccination passports, masks and other health mandates, appears to be losing steam.
Infighting between members has led to a fracturing of the movement, resulting in disagreements over details ranging from the name of the event to its main goals.
Bauder is among the dozens of protesters and supporters facing charges for their involvement in the original convoy protest.
Bail conditions prevent him and many other familiar names from returning to Ottawa.
Thousands of people in trucks and cars occupied the capital in early 2022 to protest health mandates and other government policies. It came to an end after the Trudeau government invoked the Emergencies Act.
The federal government suspended mandatory vaccination for federal employees, domestic travellers and transportation workers in June 2022.
In a statement to CBC News, the Winnipeg Police Service said it’s “aware of online dialogue from a group regarding an event in February in Winnipeg.”
“We are assessing information but do not have any further comment to make at this time,” a Winnipeg police spokesperson said in an email.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
