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Carney shuffles cabinet, Marc Miller returns to front bench

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Prime Minister Mark Carney has brought former Liberal cabinet minister Marc Miller back into the fold, naming him the new minister of Canadian identity and culture, replacing Steven Guilbeault, who resigned from cabinet last week.

Miller will also take over Guilbeault’s role as minister responsible for official languages.

The changes were made official at a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Monday afternoon — Miller’s first return to cabinet since Carney became leader.

Although he held several high-profile portfolios under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including immigration and Crown-Indigenous relations, Miller was left out of cabinet following Carney’s appointment and again after the spring federal election.

Miller now inherits a ministry that was rebranded from Canadian Heritage and has a more flexible mandate under the Carney government, including a role in developing new legislation on online harms.

He takes over as the department faces ongoing pressure from the United States to dismantle parts of the Online Streaming Act and Online News Act.

The cabinet shuffle also includes adjustments to internal roles. Joël Lightbound will take on the position of Quebec lieutenant, a post previously held by Guilbeault. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin has been given expanded responsibilities as minister of environment, climate change and nature, adding oversight of Parks Canada.

Governor General Mary Simon presided over the ceremony, marking her first public appearance since a recent hospitalization.

Guilbeault stepped down last week after the federal government signed a major memorandum of understanding with Alberta on future energy development — a deal he argued undermined climate policies he had championed as minister.

Although leaving cabinet, he will remain a Liberal MP.

This marks the second major ministerial adjustment since September, when Carney reassigned portfolios following Chrystia Freeland’s departure from cabinet.

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Ontario MPP Charged

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A veteran Ontario MPP is facing charges connected to the truckers’ protest in Ottawa.

Randy Hillier, the former PC member now sitting as an independent, turned himself in to Ottawa Police this morning.

Hiller is facing nine charges including mischief and obstruction of a public officer.

The complete list of charges are

CCC 430 (3) Mischief/Obstruct Property Exceeding $5000
CCC 464 (a) Counsel An Uncommitted Indictable Offence (Mischief) (times 2)
CCC 430 (3) Mischief/Obstruct Property Exceeding $5000
CCC 129 (a) Obstruct/Resist Person Aiding Public/Peace Officer
CCC 129 (a) Obstruct/Resist A Public Officer (times 2)
CCC 270 (1) (a) Assault Peace Or Public Officer
CCC 464 (a) Counsel An Uncommitted Indictable

Hillier was critical on social media of the tactics used to end the three-week-long demonstration.

Ottawa Police say multiple complaints about social media posts and other activities led to an investigation and subsequent charges against the 64-year old from Perth, Ontario.

Hillier was also charged on several occasions last year after attending several anti-mask and anti-lockdown events in his area.

His Twitter account was recently suspended for comments about vaccines.

He is in court today.

 

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Police Move To End Ottawa Protest

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More than one hundred people were arrested, and several vehicles were towed as police moved in Friday to end the protest in downtown Ottawa.

Ottawa Police, with support from provincial and federal authorities, began moving into the area earlier in the day after issuing repeated warnings to protesters to leave.

Police say some protesters were assaulting police and attempted to remove officers’ weapons.

A mounted patrol was also brought in.

Video on social media shows some people being knocked to the ground, including a person with a walker.

Police claimed on Twitter a bicycle had been thrown at the horses, and a person was arrested.

Protesters have been in Ottawa for the past three weeks to voice opposition to COVID mandates.

 

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Police arrest protestors in Ottawa to clear convoy blockade

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Police have descended on the streets of downtown Ottawa to push out protestors.

They’re working to regain control over the city core after a three-week occupation against COVID-19 measures.

Protestors are being removed from their vehicles, arrested, and placed into Ottawa Police “offender transport” vans.

Police locked down the core on Thursday and arrested two organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Both are facing charges of counselling to commit the offence of mischief.

The House of Commons is not sitting on Friday due to the police operation.

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Police arrest protest organizers, set up perimeter around downtown Ottawa

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Police are preparing to make their move in Ottawa as they arrest two protest organizers and set up a perimeter.

Local police have now bolstered their presence with help from their provincial and national counterparts to set up a barrier around the downtown core.

Their goal is to prevent demonstrators from joining the protest against COVID-19 health measures this weekend.

Protestors were warned on Thursday if they do not clear the streets they could face arrests and charges.


Two organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber have been taken into custody. They’ve both been charged with counselling to commit mischief

Meantime, Parliament is debating the use of emergency powers to push protestors out with a vote set for Monday.

It’s expected to get approved with the Liberals and NDP supporting the plan.

It’s anticipated the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois will oppose it.

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PM Looking To End Freedom Convoy Peacefully

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The unlawful activity of those involved in the Freedom Convoy has to end and will end.

Those words from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday as it’s two weeks and counting since the country-wide movement made its way to Ottawa and had now spread out, including to border crossings in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba.

Trudeau says the message has been heard, but it’s time to get things moving again.

“This has been hurting our supply chains, hurting families across the country and endangering our recovery both from the health crisis and economic crisis,” Trudeau stated. “This pandemic doesn’t end just because we cross our arms and decide that it’s over. It will end by following science, and by supporting and being there for each other, which is something that Canadians have been doing for the last two years.”

Trudeau was also asked about the state of emergency declaration from Premier Doug Ford earlier in the day, which will allow Ontario to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.

“Jurisdictions work together to ensure the right outcome for citizens and every step of the way, the federal government has been there with resources, support, guidance and engagement that is getting us through this one step at a time,” mentioned Trudeau.

Trudeau did note that all options are on the table, including military intervention.

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State Of Emergency Declared In Ottawa

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The mayor of Ottawa declared a state of emergency in the nation’s capital over the weekend.

It comes as an ongoing demonstration against COVID-19 mandates enters its 11th day.

A news release from the city said the state of emergency reflects the “serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents” from the ongoing demonstration.

It went on to say that the declaration “highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.”

“It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders,” said the release.

Police said late Sunday that multiple vehicles and fuel have been seized, adding that anyone found bringing fuel to the demonstration trucks could be arrested and charged.

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GoFundMe Fundraiser For Trucker Convoy Revoked

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A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support a trucker convoy has been removed.

A statement released on Friday says, “GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created. We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity.”

The GoFundMe account has raised over $10 million dollars.

GoFundMe now says it will automatically refund all contributions directly within seven to ten business days, without donors having to submit a request.

One million dollars was released earlier this week by GoFundMe, to organizers, but a statement from the online fundraiser says it was confirmed funds would be used only for participants who travelled to Ottawa to participate in a peaceful protest.

“Given how this situation has evolved, no further funds will be directly distributed to the Freedom Convoy organizers — we will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities chosen by the Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers and verified by GoFundMe.”

Thousands of truckers from across the country converged on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on January 29th, opposed to vaccine mandates. They were joined by other protesters who opposed all COVID-19 restrictions.

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Increased Numbers Expected At Parliament Hill Protest This Weekend

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Ottawa residents and businesses continue to be frustrated by protesters in the area of Parliament Hill.

Police Chief Peter Sloly says they are committed to bringing this demonstration to an end, “150 new officers, 24 hours a day over the next four days coming through this weekend. Those officers will be focused on enforcement, bringing to order and bringing to justice those who have committed disorder and unlawful acts.”

Numbers on Parliament Hill have reduced since a trucker convoy began on January 29th, but Ottawa Deputy Police Chief Steve Bell says they are preparing for those numbers to rise again this weekend.

He says they are anticipating three to four hundred more trucks attempting to enter, “We also have information that indicates that there will be between one and two thousand foot participants who will join the area of the demonstration, as well as up to a thousand counter protesters have indicated a desire to want to come down to the area.”

This is day eight of the convoy that started as a protest over vaccine mandates, and has grown to include the demand for COVID-19 restrictions to be removed.

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Truckers Restrictions Protest Has No Plans Of Ending Soon

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Organizers of the truckers restrictions protest in Ottawa say no leaders of the federal, provincial, or municipal government have reached out to them.

Tamara Lich says they just want Canada to do what other countries have done.

“As of today, Sweden, Denmark, U.K, Norway, Finland, Ireland, and Switzerland have removed all COVID mandates and restrictions,” Lich stated at a news conference on Thursday.

“We are therefore calling on all levels of government in Canada to end all COVID mandates and restrictions. We will continue our protest until we see a clear plan for their elimination.”

In the meantime, the Go Fund Me account of 10.1 million dollars for the Freedom Convoy has been suspended.

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