A series of planned visits on July 15 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were cut short when anti-Liberal protesters gathered across the street from his next stop before he arrived. He’d already visited two Ottawa suburbs and Gatineau Park in Quebec without incident, but Etienne Brulé Brewery in Embrun called off their visit before it happened.
The brewery reported that a dozen protesters had gathered across the street, recording the establishment in anticipation of the PM’s arrival and brandishing flags emblazoned with profanity directed at Trudeau. In addition, the brewery itself was packed with people both inside and out, some of whom were asked to leave. Plainclothes RCMP officers attended the scene, but in the end the event was cancelled.
The presence of convoy supporters and the large crowd compounded to force the cancellation, but the PM’s office said in a statement that Trudeau is looking forward to visiting again soon. This is the second time in two months that a planned appearance was cancelled, after over 100 protestors gathered on May 24 to block the gates of a banquet hall in Surry, B.C., carrying a makeshift gallows and noose with ‘Trudeau Treason’ written on it.
Trudeau opted to attend the event virtually.
The protestors are mainly rallying against COVID-19 restrictions, with others demanding Trudeau resign or be thrown out of office.
