Glen McGregor
@glen_mcgregor
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Journalist covering Parliament Hill and federal politics for @CityNewsTO. [email protected]. @glenmcgregor.bsky.social
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Joined May 2008
Protest organizer Chris Barber taken into police custody on Albert Street, in the last hour.
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This is the audio landscape in a residential area of downtown Ottawa this morning.
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I was doing a live hit with @MSNBC this afternoon when our crew was mobbed. One guy actually spit at us, others called us Nazis. MSNBC had to cut it off almost after it began. Then they chased us down the street to our bureau.
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In emotional video tonight, protest organizer Tamara Lich seems to accept she is going to jail soon.
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Memo to self: feed cat before live network hit.
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The Crown has laid new charges against Ottawa protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, now jointly accused of: mischief, counselling mischief, intimidation, counselling intimidation, counselling obstruction of police, and obstructing police.
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Ottawa protester organizer Tamara Lich has been denied bail, will remain in custody until trial.
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At the Under Armour store at the Tanger outlet mall in Kanata.
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158 Canadian Forces members (and seven civilians) died in Afghanistan avenging the 9/11 attacks on the US. I don’t find jokes about the “Governor of Canada”/51st state amusing. Curious to see when this kind of stupidity gets an appropriate response from our government.
I just left Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One” as he is known in Ice Hockey circles. I said, “Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada - You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.” He had no interest, but I think.
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While we're in break, it is important to note that injunction is the result of litigation brought by one private citizen, a 21-year-old public servant who lives downtown. Not the City of Ottawa. Not police. Not any other level of govt. She, and her lawyers, shut down the horns.
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New director of communications for Conservative Party, blowing truck horn on first weekend of the Ottawa protest.
There’s no other place in the world I would rather be right now than in downtown Ottawa. The energy is electric, people are hopeful and you can see smiling faces everywhere you look. #FreedomConvoy2022
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Hearing tonight about intense frustration from Ottawa city councillors (not on police services) who are livid about police response and lack of information from the chief. They are furious.
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In response to protests, the City of Ottawa is increasing the fines for idling (previously $100), noise ($495) and open fires ($100) -- all raised to $1,000.
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As truckers are individually named in the proposed class-action lawsuit, plaintiff lawyer Paul Champ tells them to retain counsel and prepare for an extended litigation.
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I wasn’t at either event so didn’t see what happened but… today in St. Andrews, NB, PM Justin Trudeau took 11 questions from journalists over about 28 minutes; In Ottawa, CPC leader Pierre Poilievre took two questions, for a bit more than 2 minutes.
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Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson on organization of the protests: ". some of the press conferences we've seen are out of a Monty Python sketch. They are embarrassing themselves.".
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Ottawa protest organizers George Billings and Pat King are now co-accused, facing 10 criminal counts after the Crown brought new charges against them. Both remain in custody. The Crown has also laid new charges jointly against Tamara Lich and Chris Barber (both out on bail).
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Disgusting. Every news crew has been harassed repeatedly trying to work. This is the first actual on-camera assault of a journalist I’ve seen.
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CPC MP Michael Chong in House tonight: "there is simply no right to blockade" a road, highway, railway or pipeline. "Freedoms are limited by how they interfere with other people's freedom.".
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I am also certain Ottawa police did not read any of those arrested today their Miranda rights.
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Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and GiveSendGo will have to report FINTRAC, @cafreeland says; banks will be require to suspend accounts linked to protests w/o court order. "This about following the money," she says.
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The proposed class-action lawsuit over Ottawa protests adds Union 613 and Happy Goat Coffee as plaintiffs, joining Zexi Li, as claim expands to include a class of businesses. Claim now up to $306 million.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he cannot imagine an MP who votes no on Emergencies Act has confidence in the govt. He did not specifically say it is a confidence vote but it's clear he interprets it so. That is, if he loses the vote: possible election.
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Apparently, this needs to be said: The prime minister doesn't lay criminal charges. In the convoy cases at hand, charges were/are laid by Ottawa police (municipal) and prosecuted by (provincial) Crown prosecutors before (provincially-appointed) justices.
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I'm comforted that high-level international diplomacy can sometimes feel like a house party where you don't really know anyone. #G20
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Lunch on the Liberal bus today is Syrian flatbread and taboulleh from Soufi's, the Toronto restaurant targeted by hate messages and death threats. #elxn43
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Can confirm: PMJT is home for the holidays with his family at Harrington Lake residence. That is, he isn’t out of the country as wildly speculated on Twitter.
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Protest organizer Pat King's bail review has been held over until Monday. He has new lawyers who didn't show up for Zoom court today.
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Protesters are temporarily closing their Zello audio chat channel because it’s been overrun by trolls, who repeatedly play the homoerotic country song “Ram Ranch” and the mods can’t block them. This is a protest like no other.
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Lawsuit over Freedom Convoy horn noise, as high as 120 dB, names Tamara Lich, Benjamin Dichter, Chris Barber et. al. and 60 John Doe truck drivers as defendants. Seeks to certify downtown residents as a class, damages of $100 per day, plus punitive damages.
BREAKING, more coming: Lawsuit filed against convoy organizers, seeking damages on behalf of downtown Ottawa residents #cdnpoli #FreedomConvoyCanada2022.
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Freedom Convoy 2022 organizers are having a press conference at 1 pm in a guest room at the Sheraton hotel. Once again, they are refusing to allow CTV News to attend and ask questions.
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"Maybe he's got a third plane," Scheer jokes about Trudeau. "Maybe you've got another citizenship" @stephaniesmyth shoots back. #elxn43
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A small but increasing number of Ottawa residents are confronting protesters. Counter-protests planned for Saturday.
Canada's charter guarantees a peaceful nights sleep for Canadians. That's why this Ottawa resident is NOT happy. Yellow spray paint = therapy.
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The organizer of the Freedom Convoy 2022 says @GoFundMe has agreed to release funds donated to their cause. It has raised $6.3 million from more than 81,000 contributions. The convoy says the money will go to fuel, food, lodging expenses, with any surplus to veterans' groups.
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Trudeau mental health announcement in Kanata just got repeatedly photobombed by a chipmunk.
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This is utterly bizarre, if true: Ivanka Trump sitting in on G20 working group in place of her dad.
Ivanka Trump, unelected, unqualified, daughter-in-chief, is representing the US at the G20 summit next to May, Xi, Merkel. Photo @LanaLukash
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Tyson George Billings, who was released today after pleading guilty to counselling mischief at Ottawa protest, has no regrets.
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On a purely optics level, trying to imagine what could have been worst than waving swastikas, wearing a yellow Star of David, disrespecting Terry Fox and Canada’s war dead, throwing a can of frozen beer at a journalist and then taking meals from the homeless.
This is a really, really bad look.
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This is a straight reup operation, carrying back filled diesel cans right past police.
Just now. Protesters carrying empty diesel cans to a drop off point near u Ottawa, on Besserer. They put them in the back of a pickup.
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A substantial share of our population has become completely detached from reality. And it’s getting worse.
A family member just sent this to me😬.I asked do you believe this, they said I don't know what to believe anymore, I'm staying open-minded all round. We've got a serious problem Canada 😓. #cdnpolitics #cdnpoli
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Conservative leader Erin O’Toole cancelled a scheduled interview with @CTVNews, for our series of sit-downs with party leaders running this week. He would not reschedule, unfortunately. (We had Justin Trudeau last night, Jagmeet Singh tonight and Annamie Paul in next few days.)
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I asked MP Marilyn Gladu's office to provide information to back up this claim, or even the name of the financial institution. They declined, citing constituent privacy.
I have lady in my riding had her bank account frozen for buying a $20 Freedom Convoy Tshirt.
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Apparently, I *do* have to explain this ⬇️. There are no Miranda rights in Canadian law. “Built too low to the ground, son.”.
I am also certain Ottawa police did not read any of those arrested today their Miranda rights.
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Dozens of vehicles in Kaladar, Ont., on Hwy 7 ready to join up with Rolling Thunder ride to Ottawa.
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Nice silk tie you got there, prime minister. Be a shame if someone goobered on it.
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The lawyers representing downtown resident Zexi Li in the lawsuit against protest organizers will amend their (proposed) class-action claim tomorrow. Could potentially add local businesses as plaintiffs and name truckers as defendants who were previously listed as John Does.
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A recurring theme. Protesters seem puzzled they aren’t being lauded for picking up garbage (almost entirely their own), shovelling snow (because city plows can’t get in), and protecting Terry Fox statue and Cenotaph (after multiple insults to each).
This morning kids/families arrive at protest. Trucks are being signed. I spoke to some enforcement officials who asked why media doesn’t report on protestors shovelling snow off War Memorial? If someone illegally took over your home but then mowed the lawn, would that make it ok?
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Today at #POEC, the convoy organizers’ lawyer, Brendan Miller, was served with a libel notice after alleging a Toronto consultant carried a Nazi flag at the Ottawa protest in January.
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The "Parliamentary precinct" includes the PMO building, the Wellington Building, the SJAM building, the Confedation Building and many others that are not behind the gates around West, East and Centre blocks. A former Speaker would surely know this.
Which part of Parliament Hill was “occupied”? You make it sound like the Parliamentary precinct was occupied, when in reality Wellington St was blocked for vehicles. No Parl bldgs were occupied, anyone could move around the grounds. Didn’t media jump on NYT for something similar?.
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Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich will remain in custody until a bail hearing on July 5. She is charged with breach of bail conditions related to earlier criminal charges that she also still faces.
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Justice of the Peace Andrew Seymour will deliver a decision on protest organizer Pat King's bail request on Friday at 1 pm, courtroom #6 (for now). So King have at least three more nights in jail.
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"Mr King will be detained," Seymour says. No bail for Pat King.
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Since becoming prime minister, Justin Trudeau has taken “personal” time on 680 days — the equivalent of 22 months.
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Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly says there will be numerous police cameras recording Saturday's demonstration and warns this evidence will used to prosecute any crimes that may occur.
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The cop told me the cans could be filled with water so they aren't doing anything. They aren't.
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Luke warm take: if the increased regulatory scrutiny of protest financing ends this (and I think it might), it will be the most perfectly boring YOW outcome possible. Come at Ottawa, and we will Canada Gazette Part I you into submission.
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Invitation to CPC leader Andrew Scheer event, followed by updated invitation sent later. Can you see the difference?
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An Ottawa judge will order a ten-day injunction against the use of air horns at protests. Wording of order is still to be hashed out. But a win for the plaintiff resident and potentially, all others living downtown.
Justice Hugh McLean says he will issue an injunction, but only for ten days.
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Justice Hugh McLean has extended the court order prohibiting air horns and train horns in downtown Ottawa for another 60 days. The order was issued in relation to a civil action, Zexi Li. v. Chris Barber et. al.
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Apparently, this needs to be said: POEC Commissioner Paul Rouleau is *not* the brother-in-law of Pierre Trudeau's late older sister, Suzette. She was married to a Pierre Rouleau, a Montreal dentist. /1.
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Big day at Elgin St. courthouse tommorrow. Decision on bail for Tamara Lich at 9:30 am. She wants to be released on $5,000 bond; Crown wants her held until trial. Also: Pat King is in the courtroom next door at same time for his bail hearing. I'll try to tweet deets from both.
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Ontario MPP Randy Hillier surrendered to Ottawa Police this morning. Says he expects to face nine counts of charges related to the protests last month, including mischief and obstructing.
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A plea to folks on the street recording video of things you find notable today. Please, landscape, not portrait.
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While protest organizer Chris Barber is free on bail tonight, Tamara Lich’s bail hearing is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow. She will spend another night in custody.
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O’Toole: “when Justin Trudeau was partying — and we’ve all seen the photos — I was doing search and rescue missions. … We’ve all known a Justin Trudeau.”
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While MPs debate $650 for dental care for children under age 12 (in lower income families), here's what is covered by the Public Service Dental Care Plan, to which MPs and their kids belong (90% of most dental expenses and 50% of orthodontics).
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Conservative senator derides Ottawa residents unhappy with protests for their entitlement, “six-figure salaries and 20-hour work weeks.”
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Mark Carney was driven to the Edmonton launch event today by a volunteer. In a car. With four wheels. The story about him arriving in a stretch limo is total bunkum.
This is all so dumb: I spoke to the driver of the limousine seen at the Mark Carney event. He said he was sent to the same facility around 11 am local for a pick up not a drop off. (Carney event started at 1 pm Edmonton time.) The driver has never heard of Mark Carney.
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Ottawa Police Deputy Chief Steve Bell says 25 per cent of trucks camped out at Ottawa protests have children living in them.
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Supporters of Freedom Convoy 2022 awaiting the truckers next to Hwy. 401. CP24 reporter on the scene says he was chased out of the lot and had tires on his vehicle kicked.
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Here’s Toronto @Raptors President Masai Ujiri with PMJT in Addis Ababa, when asked if he would consider becoming a Canadian citizen.
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Amid apparent eviction, some TUPOC people are unhappy with locals playing "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" and "Happy Trails" on a speaker outside St. Brigid's. "This is harassment," one says.
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Looks like banks are already acting to freeze accounts -- in this case, a FB group supporting the protests.
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Maybe the OPP will help. .
This is OPP pretty much cheering these people on as they get to ‘Ottawa’. “Wait till you get there 😏”.“I get what you guys are doing”.“I support you guys 100%”. Cops are not here to keep people safe. /2
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Another incident recording on-cams tonight: A young man with a flag over his shoulders ran aggressively at our reporter who was recording a stand-up and didn't see him coming. A camera tech cut him off. It's not like this every night, but there is constant harassment.
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We are told protest organizers press conference is only for invited media. And CTV News is not invited.
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CPC leader Pierre Poilievre in radio interview today: "Most of your listeners already have coverage through their workplace. The pharmacare bill Trudeau has brought forward would ban that and require you to move over to a federal govt. plan.".(The bill, C-64, does not do that.).
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This emergency Ottawa police services board meeting is astounding. The tl;dr here is that police are massively outnumbered. At least 5,000 protesters are here, about 150 police on shift at any given time.
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Thanks to everyone who DM’d me about this (especially the dude who sent a Timmies gift card). This is not a pity party. We’re all good. All our crew are fine and feel safe. I only posted this to show the tone of what the protest has become.
I was doing a live hit with @MSNBC this afternoon when our crew was mobbed. One guy actually spit at us, others called us Nazis. MSNBC had to cut it off almost after it began. Then they chased us down the street to our bureau.
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Truck protest photo follies: No, this is not a convoy headed from South Carolina to Canada. The trucker who posted it says it was the annual convoy in support of the Special Olympics, recorded in the summer.
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I think we are now at the point we need to start casting the inevitable Netflix dramatization of the Ottawa occupation. The floor is yours, Twitter. .
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Mark Carney says he is no longer an executive at Bloomberg, Brookfield, Stripe or other companies and is no longer UN special envoy, effective today, he says. Says will meet all ethics standards and requirements in government (should he get elected).
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A heated exchange between Trudeau and Blanchet: "I am a Quebecker!" Trudeau says angrily. "You don't have a monopoly on Quebec. ".
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Also….
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Expect reaction today to Freedom Convoy live-streamer from Ottawa who last night streamed himself with a US flag draped on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The stream was screen-capped by an American supporter.
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Convoy organizers’ lawyer repeats claim about masked man who carried Confederate flag to protest, and claims protection from potential litigation by truth and privilege.
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Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial; alleges breach of bail over "Freedom Award" gala.
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I wasn’t around for the Mulroney-era campaigns, but have never seen (or heard) anything like this at a rally. People screaming insults at young campaign volunteers, a woman with an infant in her arms, chasing Trudeau and yelling vulgarities. An ugly day and night.
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In fact, a young Justin Trudeau does *not* appear in the new Canadian passport, contrary to Pierre Poilievre’s claim in his convention speech. (There is a generic image of boys swimming.).
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PMJT calls on Russia's expulsion from the international policing network INTERPOL.
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Every question from reporters to Erin O'Toole today, so far, is pressing him for clarity on whether he'd repeal prohibition on certain firearms used in mass killings in Nova Scotia, Quebec City and Montreal. So far, no clear response.
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Freeland adds that if your truck is at the blockades, your corporate accounts will be frozen, your insurance will suspended. "Send your rigs home.".
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Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland makes traditional new shoes purchase in advance of tommorow's federal budget. A pair of simple black heels from Simons, on sale, $112.94 all in.
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Protesters are now able to collect towed vehicles from the Ottawa impound lots. There is some dissatisfaction.
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Senator appointed by Stephen Harper deplores Freedom Convoy protest.
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New CPC communications director Sarah Fischer said it was “nice to hear” truck horns in downtown Ottawa after court injunction against them came into force. From one of numerous live videos she recorded during the Freedom Convoy.
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Terrence is a delight, and he watches CTV News! (FTR: over the past three week, we repeatedly reported that the Ottawa protests had been non-violent.)
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