Ottawa Police weren’t allowed inside the Coventry logistics central camp to hand out warning flyers about imminent arrests if protestors don’t leave. Here’s how it went down around 2pm.
“This is not illegitimate”
I was invited in by some protesters and asked if I wanted lunch and coffee. Fajitas were on the menu. Protesters didn’t seem worried about the police warnings
I saw approximately 100 people at the camp today. There were children there. The Children’s Aid Society in a news release urged protesters to find alternate care for their children should they be arrested.
In a Twitter space about covering the occupation - I mentioned that protesters told me they donated food and money to Shepherds of Good Hope , after some harassed shelter staff for food. That did happen. Here’s the email
I didn’t feel unsafe. But I didn’t have a huge camera with me. Some knew I was a reporter, some knew I was with CBC. Our conversations were about joints vs edibles, jobs. And where they got their news. Rebel News and Facebook sites. They called each other “family”
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At a Conservative campaign news conference - reporters in Sault Ste. Marie are penned in within a space about 8metres across and 8 metres deep in a parking lot that is wide open.
My view of Pierre Poilievre unless I choose to lean over the metal barricade
Four reporters pre-selected for questions for Pierre Poilievre. Two local journalists from Sault St.Marie, one from Canadian Press and one from Franco Presse.
This response from the White House tells you everything you need to know about tariff negotiations. White House-Trump officials do not agree on the fundamental starting point that Canada’s Premiers put forward: Canada is a sovereign nation and will not be annexed.
Before the White House meeting, Ontario Premier Doug Ford explains some of the economic arguments against tariffs the Premiers are putting forward to Republican Senators/ Congress and the Trump team
Here is Premier Andrew Furey of NFLD/Labrador expressing how the Canadian Premiers are united in one key message - that Canada does not want to be the 51st state and will not buckle under this economic threat. Trump officials: We do not agree
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived to testify before the Public Inquiry into Foreign interference.
He’s scheduled to testify until 3pm EST
Trudeau says usually on Monday morning he gets a packet of intelligence documents. Sits down in a secure room to go through info. Takes him 45mins- hour.
Gets a “vast range of info”
Trudeau is asked what type of intelligence he sees:
“I need to see info germane to my role as prime minister- that is things that is directly impacting or threatening Canadians. Things that are linked to a particular policy decision that we need to make as government”
The cuts at Bell Media hit @CTVNationalNews hard this week. A thread about the some of the staff we lost. We keep hearing about the cost of news- I want you to hear about the value.
We’ve lost passionate journalists- who put their heart and soul into their work-
In the Parliament Bureau we lost @KGallagherCTV. He’s generous with his time and sources. And has a heart of gold. Last week a woman suffering from mental health issues called the office- he spoke to her w/patience compassion and directed her to help - while on a news deadline
We lost Pam MacKenzie-our nerve centre. She knows exactly who you need to talk to on the Hill-no matter the issue. She has every minister’s public schedule and assigns the tech resources needed for CTV network to broadcast important news conferences and helps produce features
day 17 POEC -cross examination of Tamara Lich
Paul Champ, lawyer for citizens of Ottawa.
Champ: You did all you could to use the money responsibly. And from what I've seen didn't divert money to yourself.
Lich: Yes.
Champ: Once enormous funds started flowing in, it opened up other options for what the protest could look like..is that fair?
Champ: you were able to get stages, sound systems?
Lich: The description in fundraising was to get fuel
Champ: at some point for you the horns became too much - you couldn't carry on a conversation on the street?
Lich: at times..yes
Day 16 POEC. Freedom Convoy Witnesses
BJ Dichter- Bitcoin enthusiast
James Bauder-Canada Unity
Tamara Lich-Raised $10M in GoFundMea before it was frozen
The commission likely to probe how Freedom Convoy was financed.
Bauder & Lich charged with mischief/obstruct peace officer
Commission lawyer says Freedom Convoy raised $24M !!
From Go Fund Me, Adopt-a-Trucker, Give Send Go and cryptocurrency
Slide of relevant individuals investigated by commission
Relevant orgs investigated- GoFundMe,GiveSendGo, RBC,TD Bank and Stripe