The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), the Democracy Fund, and protestor group the Freedom Corp submitted a proposal to have CBC CEO Catherine Tate testify before the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC). .“Given that claims made in news reports were used to substantiate government requests to the Court, such as Ontario’s application for a restraint order, and given that Supt. (Pat) Morris testified the news reports were inconsistent with his best intelligence, the Commission should hear from individuals who can testify about the media’s approach to covering the Freedom Convoy protest,” said JCCF lawyer Hatim Kheir in a press release. .“We propose the Commission call Catherine Tait as she is the head of Canada’s national broadcaster, which is one of the largest sources of news in the country.”.The order establishing the POEC in April mandated commissioner Paul Rouleau investigate “the impact, role and sources of misinformation and disinformation.” .Morris, who oversees the Ontario Provincial Police’s Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, said on Wednesday he was “concerned by comments made publicly by public figures and in the media I believe weren’t premised in fact.”.“I believe a lot of people were making assertions that weren’t accurate,” said Morris. .“I did not see information that substantiated what was being said publicly and via the media, and I found the subjective assertions — sensationalized yes — and exacerbated conflict.”.If called, Kheir indicated the the JCCF intends to cross-examine Tait on “journalistic standards, the CBC’s approach to covering the Freedom Convoy protest, rigour in verifying reports, and the organization’s approach to corrections when stories turned out to be untrue.”.Kheir said the largest source of misinformation about the Freedom Convoy was the government-funded media. .“As the head of Canada’s national broadcaster, Ms. Tait should answer questions on her organization’s role in perpetuating misinformation,” he said. .The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, and the Ottawa Coalition of Residents and Businesses requested Tuesday the POEC call Ontario Premier Doug Ford and former Ontario solicitor general Sylvia Jones as witnesses. .READ MORE: Civil liberties groups demand Ford testify at Emergencies Act inquiry.“Premier Ford held office during the Ottawa protests; Minster Jones was Solicitor General of Ontario at that time, and her responsibilities included the Ontario Provincial Police,” said the groups. .The groups said they're making the request through Rule 36, which states “Parties may also propose witnesses or experts to be called to support, challenge, comment upon or supplement the Overview Reports in ways that are likely to significantly contribute to an understanding of the issues relevant to this Inquiry.”
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), the Democracy Fund, and protestor group the Freedom Corp submitted a proposal to have CBC CEO Catherine Tate testify before the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC). .“Given that claims made in news reports were used to substantiate government requests to the Court, such as Ontario’s application for a restraint order, and given that Supt. (Pat) Morris testified the news reports were inconsistent with his best intelligence, the Commission should hear from individuals who can testify about the media’s approach to covering the Freedom Convoy protest,” said JCCF lawyer Hatim Kheir in a press release. .“We propose the Commission call Catherine Tait as she is the head of Canada’s national broadcaster, which is one of the largest sources of news in the country.”.The order establishing the POEC in April mandated commissioner Paul Rouleau investigate “the impact, role and sources of misinformation and disinformation.” .Morris, who oversees the Ontario Provincial Police’s Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, said on Wednesday he was “concerned by comments made publicly by public figures and in the media I believe weren’t premised in fact.”.“I believe a lot of people were making assertions that weren’t accurate,” said Morris. .“I did not see information that substantiated what was being said publicly and via the media, and I found the subjective assertions — sensationalized yes — and exacerbated conflict.”.If called, Kheir indicated the the JCCF intends to cross-examine Tait on “journalistic standards, the CBC’s approach to covering the Freedom Convoy protest, rigour in verifying reports, and the organization’s approach to corrections when stories turned out to be untrue.”.Kheir said the largest source of misinformation about the Freedom Convoy was the government-funded media. .“As the head of Canada’s national broadcaster, Ms. Tait should answer questions on her organization’s role in perpetuating misinformation,” he said. .The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, and the Ottawa Coalition of Residents and Businesses requested Tuesday the POEC call Ontario Premier Doug Ford and former Ontario solicitor general Sylvia Jones as witnesses. .READ MORE: Civil liberties groups demand Ford testify at Emergencies Act inquiry.“Premier Ford held office during the Ottawa protests; Minster Jones was Solicitor General of Ontario at that time, and her responsibilities included the Ontario Provincial Police,” said the groups. .The groups said they're making the request through Rule 36, which states “Parties may also propose witnesses or experts to be called to support, challenge, comment upon or supplement the Overview Reports in ways that are likely to significantly contribute to an understanding of the issues relevant to this Inquiry.”
