Church Of St. Brigid Possible Eviction Of Freedom Convoy Affiliated Group At Ottawa Church

An organization called the United People of Canada said it is in the process of buying St. Brigid’s on St. Patrick, with plans to turn it into an “Embassy”. The historic church has been for sale for over a year, with an asking price of $5.9 million. On Wednesday afternoon, several Ottawa police cruisers were spotted outside St. Brigid to help in a dispute between the landlord and the tenant. “At approximately 6:20 p.m., officers were called to a building located in the 300 block of St. Patrick St. as part of a dispute between the landlord and tenant,” Ottawa police said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa . “This was a civil court matter and the police were called to attend and keep the peace. There were no further incidents to report.” Several people were standing outside the church Wednesday afternoon when police arrived. Volunteer Patrick Lafleche told Newstalk 580 CFRA that the rent has been paid, but noted he had not spoken to the church’s landlord and potential buyer. Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Andrew Pinsent said a locksmith on site was not allowed to change the locks and decided to return on Thursday. In a statement early Friday morning, William Komer of the United People of Canada said the attempted “illegal eviction” of the group was in retaliation for complaints. “We understand there was an attempt by the property owners this evening to illegally evict The United People of Canada from the Embassy following our concerns regarding what we understand to be violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code by the property owners. including, but not limited to, what we understand to be unlawful retaliation against us for refusing to discriminate against people based on their religion,” Comer said. Komer claims the group called the Ottawa police, “who quickly came to our aid and there was no illegal eviction.” “The United People of Canada was, and remains, legally occupying the Embassy,” Comer said. The United People of Canada website did not provide details about the property owner’s alleged violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code. “Our private prosecution team stands by and stands ready to take appropriate legal action if necessary to ensure the rule of law is upheld if the Ottawa Police Service is unable or unwilling to enforce the trespass and the Criminal Code of Canada in relation to what we understand to be offenses committed against the United People of Canada this afternoon by property owners and/or their agents,” said Komer. “We understand that these are hate crimes against The United People Of Canada. The Ontario Crown Prosecution Manual indicates that there is a substantial public interest in prosecuting hate crimes.” The statement said nothing about whether rent was paid or the pending purchase of the property. Earlier this week, posters opposing the purchase of the church by the United People of Canada were put up in Lowertown. The posters show an application by Horizon Ottawa asking the city to step in and find another buyer or buy the property, but Horizon Ottawa said the posters are not associated with them. In July, The United People of Canada moved to St. Brigid’s on St. Patrick, saying he planned to buy the church for his “Embassy”. Red banners hung from the front of the church. The group’s largest financial backer is Tony Cuzzocrea, President of Planmar Financial Corp. based in London, Ont. The TUPOC group has come under fire from some members of the community for supporting the “Freedom Accord.” CTV News Ottawa contacted the property owner and the real estate agent listed in the sale of St. Brigid for more information on the landlord-tenant dispute and the pending sale of the church. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin and Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Jeremie Charron and Andrew Pinsent

title: “Church Of St. Brigid Possible Eviction Of Freedom Convoy Affiliated Group At Ottawa Church Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-21” author: “Marilyn Blockett”

title: “Church Of St. Brigid Possible Eviction Of Freedom Convoy Affiliated Group At Ottawa Church Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Heather Mount”

title: “Church Of St. Brigid Possible Eviction Of Freedom Convoy Affiliated Group At Ottawa Church Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-19” author: “Eugene Powell”

title: “Church Of St. Brigid Possible Eviction Of Freedom Convoy Affiliated Group At Ottawa Church Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-13” author: “Linda Boudreau”