Quebec premier says no tolerance for mayhem as COVID-19 protest convoy heads to capital
Global News
Premier François Legault made it clear that mayhem of any kind would not be tolerated at the demonstration, which is inspired by the ongoing protest at Parliament Hill.
Quebec City officials were reinforcing security measures around the legislature Thursday, as demonstrators opposed to COVID-19 health orders were expected to begin arriving ahead of a weekend protest.
Premier François Legault made it clear that mayhem of any kind would not be tolerated at the demonstration, which is inspired by the ongoing protest at Parliament Hill that some Ottawa city councillors have deemed an “occupation.”
“I have no problem seeing people in the street saying whatever they want, but I want to see normal life being possible,” Legault told reporters on Thursday in Sherbrooke, Que. “That includes having children go to the Carnaval de Québec.”
The Carnaval de Québec, the provincial capital’s signature winter event, opens Friday and city officials said organizers intend to go ahead as planned.
By midday, a handful of people were already at the protest site near the legislature. Police were also present and municipal trucks were parked around the legislature, blocking off access to cars.
The city said in a news release on Thursday that officials are monitoring the situation and asking residents to get around using public transit. It said public libraries would remain open in the area and that city officials and police would work together to maintain public access to businesses.
Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier, a well-known union leader from Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, posted a video to Facebook on Thursday morning, stating he was departing with about 50 vehicles toward the provincial capital and promising to stay there.
“We’re doing this for the next generation — our kids — but also for ourselves,” Gauthier said in the video. “I’m tired of not being able to see my friends, go out for a beer with my friends, go out to the restaurant with my girlfriend — a normal life. It’s been two years we’ve been like this.”
