Conservatives have denied any links to protesters who harassed Jagmeet Singh, among others, outside Parliament Hill this week after Liberal ministers accused them of providing support.
A video circulated on the internet Tuesday showing two men following the NDP leader, as one of them appeared to call him a “corrupt bastard.”
Singh turned and confronted the two men, asking who had hurled the insults.
Both men denied making the remarks and appeared to walk back their remarks, prompting Singh to call one of them a “coward” for not saying so directly.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault praised Singh on Wednesday for standing up for himself and condemning the harassment by protesters.
“While I’m proud of Jagmeet for standing up to this guy, it shouldn’t have happened. There are a bunch of morons running around the House with their own agendas,” Miller said.
The Immigration Minister later accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of playing into the hands of protesters and urged him to “reject” the abuse carried out by “those who support him.”
Miller and Boissonnault also called out Conservative MP Michael Cooper after Press Progress reported he was out socializing with the same group of protesters who were outside Parliament Hill this week.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said he was “proud” of the way NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stood up to protesters after being heckled on Parliament Hill. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh handled himself “quite well” and was “right to defend himself.”
In a statement, Cooper denied having any ties to the protesters and said he was approached by them while having dinner.
“I went to a restaurant in Ottawa for dinner. At the restaurant, I was recognized by a group of people who approached me and took pictures. I have no connection to these people and have never met them,” Cooper said.
Press Progress reports shared photos and videos posted on social media, including by former “Freedom Convoy” protester Chris Dacey.
“Thank you to Conservative Member of Parliament for St. Albert-Edmonton, Alberta, (Michael) Cooper, for taking the time to speak to concerned Canadians tonight,” the post read.
A group of protesters gathered Monday in Ottawa for the first day of fall, sitting in and disrupting politicians, staff and journalists entering and exiting the House of Commons building.
Protesters shouted insults and obscenities, as well as incitement to violence such as “hang the traitors”.
Several security measures have been stepped up on Parliament Hill since Tuesday, with restricted access to areas near the entrance without official permission.
NDP MP Charlie Angus, Liberal MP Pam Damoff and NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice responded to a video posted online showing protesters heckling NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Parliament Hill.
Singh posted on X about the incident on Tuesday, blaming Poilievre.
“Over the past few days, Ottawa bullies have been spreading hate and harassing Canadians who disagree with them. An Indigenous woman was called a Nazi. Staff were harassed. Journalists were yelled at,” Singh wrote.
“That’s the country Pierre Poilievre wants. Me? I believe everyone should feel safe walking our streets.”
Anaida Poilievre, the Conservative leader’s wife, responded on X by pointing out people were angry about policies implemented by the Liberal government, with NDP support.
“I apologize for the harassment you experienced today. Of course, it shouldn’t have been like that,” he said.
“My husband has not been the person in charge for the last eight years… Mr Singh, the only person you have to blame for the current state of our country and the mood and despair of the people is the person who is currently in control, and the people who remain in control.”
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