Ottawa Police Service has charged Steeve Charland, 48, of Grenville, Québec, in relation to his activities during the protest gathering in Ottawa against federal vaccination and other public health policies. The OPP arrested Charland February 27 in Vankleek Hill and turned him over to the Ottawa police.

Charland is charged with mischief and with counselling others to commit mischief. He was scheduled for a first appearance in court Sunday.

Charland’s wife, Karol Tardif, posted a video on Facebook, saying « I have no idea how long they’re going to keep him, but I’ll keep you posted. »

Charland, also known as L’Artiss, is a former leader of La Meute, a Québec-based anti-immigration group. During the truckers convoy protest in Ottawa, he was acting as a spokesperson for Les Farfadass, a Québec-based group opposed to government vaccination and other health measures dealing with COVID-19.

Early in February, Les Farfadaas occupied a private parking lot in Gatineau for several days, serving as a fuel supply site for the truckers occupying the Centretown area of Ottawa around Parliament Hill. The group later received a Superior Court order to vacate the Gatineau site.

Charland is one of several people involved in organizing the truckers convoy protest who now face charges related to the event. Others charged include Tamara Lich and Pat King, both of Alberta and who both remain in custody after they were denied bail.