Saturday, April 4, 2026
ADVT 
National

Trudeau says throwing rocks is 'unacceptable'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Sep, 2021 09:45 AM
  • Trudeau says throwing rocks is 'unacceptable'

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says he will leave it to police to decide whether charges are warranted after he was pelted with gravel at a campaign stop in London, Ont. on Monday.

Trudeau says he felt the stones hit him but that he wasn't hurt.

The London stop is the latest Liberal tour event to be sidetracked by the arrival of what Trudeau called an "anti-vaxxer mob" but the first where he was physically assaulted.

Trudeau says it is "absolutely unacceptable" to throw things at a campaign rally, and that he isn't afraid for his own safety but for that of his volunteers, his security detail, or journalists covering the campaign.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says there is no excuse for trying to intimidate, harass or promote violence.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the London event crossed a "clear line" by throwing rocks intending to harm someone.

Singh's campaign stops have not seen the same kind of crowds but the NDP leader is often subjected to racist insults, including from people driving by his events who hurl hateful slurs out their windows as they pass.

Both Trudeau and Singh say the anti-mask, and anti-vaccine elements stirring up trouble on the campaign trail are a loud but very small minority of Canadians.

The anti-Trudeau agitators have appeared in multiple provinces but their number has been greatest during Trudeau's events in southern Ontario.

Early on, some of the anti-Trudeau elements showed up sporting clothing affiliated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

At an event in Bolton, Ont., on Aug. 27, which was cancelled when the RCMP determined it could not maintain security, a handful of people in the crowd were in Conservative T-shirts.

O'Toole condemned their actions and fired those volunteers from the campaign.

The latest of the events has seen the crowds dominated by people carrying campaign signs or wearing clothing for the People's Party of Canada.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Experts debate easing rules for fully vaccinated

Experts debate easing rules for fully vaccinated
As provinces accelerate their efforts to get their populations fully vaccinated against COVID-19, some people are calling for the federal government to issue clear guidance on what people can do once they receive both shots.

Experts debate easing rules for fully vaccinated

Vaccines preventing hospitalizations from Delta

Vaccines preventing hospitalizations from Delta
A new study in England suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are extremely good at keeping people from ending up in the hospital with COVID-19, even after just one dose.

Vaccines preventing hospitalizations from Delta

Uppal apologizes for role in divisive policies

Uppal apologizes for role in divisive policies
A former Conservative cabinet minister is apologizing for not pushing against his party's culturally divisive polices of the Stephen Harper era, including an effort to ban face coverings during citizenship ceremonies.

Uppal apologizes for role in divisive policies

Trudeau wants NATO unity on China, Russia

Trudeau wants NATO unity on China, Russia
Canada's prime minister used his time at a summit of political and military allies underlining the need to present a united front against Russia, China and the general threat of authoritarianism.

Trudeau wants NATO unity on China, Russia

Canada won't take more doses from COVAX

Canada won't take more doses from COVAX
Canada has contracts to buy more than 251 million doses of seven different vaccines from vaccine makers, more than three times what it needs to fully immunize every Canadian.

Canada won't take more doses from COVAX

Business leaders demand border reopening plan now

Business leaders demand border reopening plan now
Business leaders are calling on Ottawa to immediately lay out a comprehensive plan to reopen the economy and international borders along with a vaccine certification process.

Business leaders demand border reopening plan now