Canada Conservative Party (CPC) hopeful leaders Pierre Poilievre and Maxime Bernier marched in Ottawa on Thursday to protest the COVID-19 vaccine and public health measures.
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Pierre Poilievre accompanied Canadian Forces veteran James Topp for over two kilometers, according to CTV News.
James Topp, a 28-year veteran, was charged in February with two counts of breach of good order and discipline. He had publicly denounced federal vaccination requirements while in uniform.
He has since led a march to Ottawa. Mr. Topp was accompanied by about 100 people.
Pierre Poilievre and Maxime Bernier received James Topp in the capital.
“I support freedom of choice and have always believed that people should have the opportunity to choose,” said Poilievre. We should be free Canadians who can choose what we put into our bodies.”
For his part, Mr Bernier, who had failed in his bid to become leader of the Conservatives before the founding of his party, criticized Mr Poilievre in a press release.
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“[Pierre Poilievre] I’ve been silent on the subject for two years, he said. He looked at the polls and where the wind was blowing before acting. During this time, I attended various rallies around the country and was arrested. When the situation became safer, he decided to have his picture taken with the Freedom Convoy (in February). He should stop lying about it.”
The march comes as Ottawa has tightened security for Canada Day to avoid repeating a siege like last February.