The disturbing reception Maxime Bernier received from a welcoming committee – Mounties that tracked, ticketed, handcuffed and jailed him – during a recent visit, won’t deter him from visiting Friendly Manitoba again..And before his scheduled July 27 court date..“I can tell you that I’ll be back in Manitoba. I’ll be back before my hearing for sure. We’ll do rallies like I’m doing everywhere,” the leader of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC), told Western Standard..Non-essential travel, due to COVID-19 restrictions, is restricted in Manitoba..But while visitors like “cast, crew, and other persons directly involved in film production” are exempt from 14-day self-isolation requirements, political opponents aren’t..Bernier, with the End the Lockdown Caucus, is holding rallies across Canada to protest the severe emotional and economic impact, and denial of Charter of Rights freedoms lockdowns present..He’s convinced his arrest had little to do health concerns..It’s no secret the rallies aren’t the only purpose of his travels. Bernier’s lining up PPC candidates to run in the anticipated fall federal election..“I strongly believe that Mr. (Premier Brian) Pallister didn’t want to have any political opponent that will speak the truth about these draconian lockdowns and draconian measures they’re imposing in Manitoba,” said Bernier. .“I believe it was political repression. I believe that because the day before I arrived the premier did a press conference and said that I wasn’t welcome and if I’m going to Manitoba, they’ll empty my wallet.”.He also received a letter from the health department of health warning him to self-isolate..“I answered on my Titter account that I won’t surrender my Constitutional rights,” said Bernier..He was arrested and charged on June 11 in the village of St-Pierre-Jolys, about 50 km from Winnipeg, under the Public Health Act for breaching COVID-19 health orders – assembling at an outdoor gathering and failing to self-isolate..Manitoba Justice said the arrest was also to “prevent further offences related to attending, participating, and organizing public gatherings throughout the province.”.Bernier held a political meeting before his arrest..“I was outside with five people, socially distancing, speaking with my riding association executives. We are in the process of selecting our candidates.”.He was warned by RCMP that if he went ahead with meetings, he risked being arrested..He called his lawyer and was assured that, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, he had the right to peaceful assembly outside and to freedom of speech. .“I’m looking forward to that hearing in court. I can tell you we will win that for sure,” said Bernier..“It’s too bad this is happening in Canada in 2021. You see that in China or in Russia when you want to arrest your political opponent. They wanted to stop me and the only way to stop me from doing what I wanted to do was put me in jail,” he claimed..Bernier was tossed behind bars at the local detachment and denied a request to call his wife..He once asked what time it was. A Mountie merely said: “I don’t know.”.Most police officers use discretion in dealing with detainees. Others are petty. Refusing to tell a leader of a political party and former Conservative federal cabinet minister the time is petty..A judge ordered Bernier to pay $1,000 cash, but quashed conditions Manitoba Justice demanded..“They didn’t want me to use social media, they didn’t want me to communicate, to speak against lockdowns. The judge decided $1,000 was sufficient with one condition to respect the law.”.A volunteer arrived with cash..“They said: ‘We cannot accept cash anymore. Our procedures changed last week. We’ll have to drive to Winnipeg…So go back in your cell and in two hours when Winnipeg has received the cash, we’ll free you,’” he said..Bernier believes this was a ruse to keep him behind bars as along as possible..“My agenda was public. They knew I had a couple of other meetings that night,” he said..“After eight hours I was free. But the police told me: ‘We will follow you in Manitoba and our advice to you is to leave the province as soon as possible.’”.Everything from his arrest to his release was handled by the two Mounties in jeans, whom Bernier believes weren’t local, while other members in full uniform in stood back. .Did members of the detachment call for outside help? Was help sent?.“I’ve been told they were Mounties from Winnipeg. I’m pretty sure they were from Winnipeg and following an order from the politicians, from the premier. Absolutely.” .When asked about that, a provincial media spokesman tersely said: “Talk to the RCMP.” .The RCMP didn’t respond to calls or an email..Perhaps the mystery will be solved in court..Bernier noted the PPC’s the only party protesting lockdowns..“The COVID-19 lockdowns must end this summer. I’m scared that early in fall, the provincial governments can come back with another lockdown. I’ll continue to fight,” said Bernier before vowing to return to Manitoba..Canadians, weary of questionable lockdowns, might agree that shouldn’t be deemed non-essential travel. .Slobodian is a Western Standard columnist based in Manitoba.
