June 28, 2022 • 12 hours ago • 2 minutes reading • 6 comments Steve Bell, the current head of the Ottawa Police Department, says police will not tolerate homophobic, half-hearted or racist messages at Canada Day events. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia
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The Ottawa Police Department has vowed not to tolerate homophobic, half-hearted or racist messages – including speeches, gestures or signs – in public during this week’s Canada Day events, and said it could lead to
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During a Canada Day scheduling briefing at a meeting of the Ottawa Police Service Council on Monday night, OPS interim chief Steve Bell was asked by board member Jeff Leiper if police would tolerate homophobia. misogynistic or racist messages where “they were not accompanied by otherwise illegal behavior.” “I think the easiest way to answer that is simply a no,” Bell said, vowing to “actively respond” and investigate cases of hate crime or bias, intimidation or threats. In an email Tuesday morning, answering questions from this newspaper about the leader’s comments and the planned police response for Canada Day, Ottawa Police Department spokesman Cst. Mike Cudrasov confirmed that “The communication (words spoken or written, gestures or signs) of homophobic, misogynistic and / or racist messages in public will be investigated and can lead to various criminal charges, including public instigation (9). 1) of the Penal Code of Canada.
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“These will NOT be tolerated.” Asked if there was any other action the Ottawa police would take in response to such messages, other than to investigate and possibly prosecute, OPS said it would “take all appropriate measures to prevent the continuation of a criminal offense.” » Answering Leiper’s question Monday night, Bell said the force is trying to be very clear about its July 1 stance – when hundreds of thousands of revelers are expected to visit downtown Ottawa for its Day celebrations. Canada, along with protesters from various “freedom groups”, organized in part by people linked to the “Freedom Convoy” protest that took place in downtown Ottawa earlier this year, and the “Rolling Thunder” motorcycle rally in April.
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Canada Day [is] a very important day for Canadians. It is a day when we celebrate our country and all the good things in it. But people… when they come, must be legal. “And they have to respect our community,” Bell told board members. “We know the signs our community has been feeling since the days in late January, early February, where there were all the negative interactions with people who attended and possessed and demonstrated illegally on our streets. We have heard them. We heard them. And I want to assure you that these feelings, this trauma that our community has felt, are at the forefront of all our planning efforts and will be at the forefront of our response efforts. “ If people experience harassment, intimidation or hate-based activities, Bell said they should contact Ottawa police. Depending on the threat, they can use 911 for emergency reports or online or telephone reports for non-emergency reports, at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300. Those in the city center will also see police, Bell said. “You can also let them know what’s going on.” “So, there are many different ways to contact us. “Our question is, if you see something… that concerns you, be sure to contact us and we will investigate.”
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