A memo to the police services board dated Aug. 24 also says the owner “expects a court order will be issued, but the timing is currently unclear.” Seeking a court order is the next step in the eviction process in this dispute between TUPC and the building’s owners, which has been ongoing for more than a week, according to Michael Polowin, a real estate attorney and partner at Gowling WLG. Polowin said the owner could seek an order to take back possession of his property if TUPC refuses to leave. But the group — with ties to the Freedom Convoy protests that paralyzed downtown Ottawa this winter, which it denies — could also go to court and argue they shouldn’t be evicted, Polowin added, leaving court to decide whether the tenant should leave or not. Last Wednesday, notices were posted at the building on St. An attached notice said TUPC is also in violation of the Ontario Heritage Act for altering the appearance of the building without the written approval of the Ontario Heritage Foundation and in violation of the Ontario Building Code Act “for failing to obtain necessary permits and approvals for construction work.” at the construction site. William Comer, one of the directors of TUPC, stands in front of the St. Brigid’s, holding a water pistol next to supporters on Thursday. (Alexander Behne/CBC) William Comer, one of the group’s directors, previously showed reporters a copy of what he described as a $5,650 bank invoice dated July 15 and an original of what appeared to be another draft dated August 15 for the same amount. He claimed the landlord refused to accept this month’s rent. He also shared a heavily edited piece of paper with the words “certificate of insurance” across the top. TUPC said the owners of St. Brigid’s are trying to “outlaw” the group and punish it “for refusing to discriminate against people based on their creed.”
TUPC says it’s not going away
The notices gave TUPC five business days for members to collect their belongings and leave. That deadline expired shortly after midnight on Thursday. Such a notice is usually enough to encourage a person to quit, according to Polowin. “Eight or nine times out of ten, a tenant will see a notice like this and just walk away,” the attorney said, adding that it often doesn’t even get to that point. “If a tenant can’t pay rent, for example, then they leave.” TUPC said it originally planned to buy the building, but it appears the deal fell through. Comer, who spoke to reporters Thursday wearing a crown, red cape and plastic kitchen gloves, said the team has no plans to go. “We’re not leaving,” he said. Police said they are continuing to monitor the situation in St. Comer spoke to reporters Thursday wearing a crown, red cape and plastic kitchen gloves, said the team doesn’t plan to go. (Alexander Behne/CBC)
The police were called to the scene several times
The agency said it had been called to the building five times this week and three more times over the weekend. One of those calls led to an ongoing harassment complaint investigation, police said, but declined to say who was involved. “In light of the multiple calls for service, police will maintain an increased presence at this location going forward,” said the statement released Thursday afternoon. The memo to the police board said that if the court issues an eviction order, the agency will contact the sheriff, who may ask officers to help secure the tenants’ departure. “In the meantime, OPS will continue to maintain the peace and maintain public safety until this matter is resolved,” he added. Polowin said in the meantime that the owner could keep trying to change the locks, but that doesn’t really help if people are already inside. “If this transaction has fallen through then this owner will want to sell this property to someone else and I can tell you for sure that no one is going to buy this property unless it is vacant.”
