Horwath calls on Ford to end chaos, occupation in Ottawa

QUEEN'S PARK — In a letter Wednesday, Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is urging Doug Ford to use every tool at his disposal and work with the federal and municipal government to end the chaos and occupation of the national capital by violent extremists as another convoy says it plans to descend on the GTA by this weekend.

letter

Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A2

February 2, 2022

Dear Premier Ford,

The chaos and occupation of our nation’s capital by violent extremists — now on day five — must come to an end, now. As the Leader of the Opposition, I am calling on you as Premier of Ontario to use all the tools you have at your disposal to work with the federal and municipal government to end this immediately.

Distressingly, reports yesterday stated you were awaiting the Mayor of Ottawa’s phone call for assistance. Premier, this is not a time to wait. It’s not the time for mixed messages. And it is not the time to sheepishly ask these extremists to go home. Ontario needs leadership, now. I urge you to call Mayor Watson and Prime Minister Trudeau now, and work with them to end this chaos quickly.

Workers and residents of downtown Ottawa are under siege. Thousands of retail workers have had their shifts cancelled and paycheques slashed because of the forced closures of local businesses. Residents have been left to fend for themselves in their own streets, and to endure endless noise. Reports of heinous acts are being shared: antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Black racism and hate of all kinds — occurring seemingly without any consequences. Confederate flags and Nazi swastikas are being flown without any repercussions. The most venerable symbols of our nation, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the statue of Terry Fox, are being desecrated.

Enough is enough. The Province of Ontario has a responsibility to work to end this attack.

Worryingly, the Legislative Protective Service has just informed all members of our Assembly that additional actions may soon take place in our provincial capital at Queen’s Park. Peaceful demonstrations are always welcome here at Queen’s Park — but the potential for violent, hateful behaviour and messaging is unacceptable.

Millions of Ontarians have done the right thing for themselves, their families and the country by getting vaccinated. I’m urging you: Do not run and hide in the face of bullying. Do not give hate a pass.

Sincerely,

[Original signed]
Andrea Horwath

Leader, Official Opposition New Democrats

MPP Hamilton Centre