Poilievre and Bernier protested sanitation measures in Ottawa

Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership hopefuls Pierre Poilivre and Maxime Bernier marched in Ottawa on Thursday to protest the COVID-19 vaccine and health measures.

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According to CTV News, Canadian Armed Forces veteran James Topp was accompanied by Pierre Poilivre for two kilometres.

James Topp, a 28-year veteran, was charged in February with two counts of conduct disturbing good order and discipline. He publicly denounced federal vaccine requirements while in uniform.

Since then, he has been leading the march to Ottawa. There are about 100 people along with Mr. Top.

Pierre Poilievre and Maxime Bernier welcomed James Topp to the capital.

“I support freedom of choice and have always believed that people should have the ability to decide,” Poilivre said. We should be free Canadians to decide what we put in our bodies.

For his part, Mr. Bernier, who failed in his bid to become leader of the Conservatives before launching his party, criticized Mr. Poilivre in a press release.

“[Pierre Poilievre] He said that they have been silent on this issue for two years. Before acting, they saw the elections and which way the wind was blowing. During that time, I attended various rallies across the country and was arrested. When the situation was safe, he decided to take his picture with the Freedom Convoy [en février]. He should stop lying about it.”

The march comes as Ottawa ramps up security for Canada Day to avoid a repeat of last February’s siege.