Records show Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino relied on accusations from political staffers in accusing the Freedom Convoy of hooliganism, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“I don’t even feel safe dropping my son off at daycare downtown,” Mendocino chief of staff Mike Jones told an Ottawa city councillor in a text message. .Mendicino recited the complaint as a community concern when he testified at the House of Commons Public Safety Committee in February. .“What was occurring in Ottawa was a sustained and flagrant breach of the law that laid to siege the community and neighbourhoods,” said Mendicino. .“Families could not drop off their kids to daycare.”.Jones recited in a separate text a third-hand allegation of attempted sexual assault by Freedom Convoy protestors. One of his staff members said he would not be coming into the office while protestors were present. .“My friend was directly threatened with rape yesterday because she was wearing her mask,” said Jones. .Mendicino spoke about the attempted rape allegation during his testimony. He said there were “Ottawans who were subjected to intimidation, harassment, threats of rape.”.The public safety minister did not disclose the allegation was from his chief of staff. Members of the Public Safety Committee challenged him to substantiate the claim. .“The absence of a criminal charge doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” he said. .The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said in August the Crown had stayed 49 charges against seven Freedom Convoy participants. .READ MORE: Charges dropped against seven Freedom Convoy protestors.These charges were stayed due to a lack of evidence. .The protestors were charged with mischief, mischief to property, disobeying a lawful order, and obstruction of a peace officer. They maintained their innocence and said freedom of peaceful assembly is essential in a healthy democracy.
Records show Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino relied on accusations from political staffers in accusing the Freedom Convoy of hooliganism, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“I don’t even feel safe dropping my son off at daycare downtown,” Mendocino chief of staff Mike Jones told an Ottawa city councillor in a text message. .Mendicino recited the complaint as a community concern when he testified at the House of Commons Public Safety Committee in February. .“What was occurring in Ottawa was a sustained and flagrant breach of the law that laid to siege the community and neighbourhoods,” said Mendicino. .“Families could not drop off their kids to daycare.”.Jones recited in a separate text a third-hand allegation of attempted sexual assault by Freedom Convoy protestors. One of his staff members said he would not be coming into the office while protestors were present. .“My friend was directly threatened with rape yesterday because she was wearing her mask,” said Jones. .Mendicino spoke about the attempted rape allegation during his testimony. He said there were “Ottawans who were subjected to intimidation, harassment, threats of rape.”.The public safety minister did not disclose the allegation was from his chief of staff. Members of the Public Safety Committee challenged him to substantiate the claim. .“The absence of a criminal charge doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” he said. .The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said in August the Crown had stayed 49 charges against seven Freedom Convoy participants. .READ MORE: Charges dropped against seven Freedom Convoy protestors.These charges were stayed due to a lack of evidence. .The protestors were charged with mischief, mischief to property, disobeying a lawful order, and obstruction of a peace officer. They maintained their innocence and said freedom of peaceful assembly is essential in a healthy democracy.
