Region 'no place' for hate speech, says Karen Redman, as Waterloo braces for convoy protest

As a convoy is expected to travel a route between uptown Waterloo and the university district on Saturday and Sunday, Regional Chair Karen Redman says there is "no place" for "personal attacks or hate speech in Waterloo region."

It is not clear who is organizing the "True North Strong and Free" convoy, but an online poster for the event has been circulating on social media. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo has not made contact with anyone connected with the poster.  

This comes as a convoy protest is also expected in Toronto this weekend, and demonstrations in Ottawa have continued for more than a week. While those demonstrations started out to protest the federally-imposed vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the U.S.-Canada border, organizers said Wednesday they would not leave until all COVID-related public health rules are repealed. 

"I don't want to see what happened in Ottawa happen here," said Redman at a media briefing Friday morning. 

"I hope whoever participates in any activities over the weekend in the region respects the rule of law, private property and doesn't promote white supremacy, hate and racism as we have seen in other venues."

As of Friday, the shopping centre that anchors Waterloo Town Square, where the poster has encouraged people on foot to gather, had not updated its website to indicate if it would be closing on either Saturday or Sunday. A staff member said shoppers should check the mall's website for updates this weekend. 

The City of Waterloo told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo Friday it planned to keep open its skating rink in front of Waterloo Town Square, and would re-evaluate as the day progresses. A spokesperson said members of the public could find updates on the city's Twitter account.

When asked about changes to the Ion LRT route for the light-rail train that runs through uptown Waterloo past Waterloo Town Square, Region of Waterloo's chief administrative officer, Bruce Lauckner said staff would do whatever it could to minimize disruptions to Grand River Transit and other essential services — but that adjustments would be made as needed.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a release late Friday that he supports Toronto and Ottawa police as those two cities prepare for protest this weekend. "I reiterated to both Mayor Tory and Mayor Watson that the province stands ready to provide any additional resources they might require," he said.

"...The occupation in Ottawa is only hurting families and businesses that are trying to continue on with their lives. It's time for it to come to an end," he said.

"Public health measures are beginning to lift as the situation in our hospitals stabilizes. We're stronger as a province, and as a country, when we're all pulling in the same direction."