OTTAWA—Conservative MP Garnet Genuis has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to condemn political violence after news of several incidences of assault against pro-life demonstrators.
“It is deeply disturbing to see acts of politically motivate violence taking
place in Canada,” the Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., MP wrote in a
petition he launched Oct. 5 after reports of violence in Toronto.
“Politically motivated violence has no place in this country or anywhere.
Without a strong response from the appropriate authorities, violence of this
sort can have a chilling effect on public discourse.”
One instance involved an attack on
Campaign Life Coalition’s youth co-ordinator Marie-Claire
Bissonnette on Sept. 30 during a peaceful Life Chain demonstration. A man is
shown on a video spin-kicking Bissonnette, who alleges he kicked her in the
shoulder and knocked her phone to the pavement. The video went viral and
prompted news reports internationally.
On Oct. 6, Jordan Hunt, 26, was charged with eight counts of assault and seven
counts of mischief for the alleged kick and for allegedly scribbling on the
clothing and signs of the demonstrators, and tearing a ribbon off Bissonnette’s
clothing.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer condemned the attack on social media Oct. 5.
“No woman should have to fear for her safety on the streets of Canada because
of her personal beliefs,” he said in French. “I strongly condemn this attack,
both scandalous and not provoked.”
Toronto Police also charged Hunt with assault in connection with a another
pro-life demonstration on Aug. 2, when he allegedly tried to grab a
demonstrator’s sign and pushed a woman against a pole.
Video of another assault was posted to Facebook Oct. 5 by Blaise Alleyne
of Toronto Against
Abortion showing
instances pro-lifers being assaulted on the Ryerson campus Oct. 1.
“Unfortunately, the attack we faced on Monday at Ryerson was only one of many
instances of peaceful pro-lifers facing pro-choice violence on a regular basis
across the country,” said Alleyne on Facebook. “I was present for three of the
assaults in this video.”
The prime minister has not responded to the calls to condemn political
violence.
MPs have been in their ridings for the Thanksgiving break and return to the
House of Commons Oct. 15.
Canadian Catholic News