The group of opponents to sanitary measures the Farfadaas, which has set up a makeshift “headquarters” on a private parking lot in Gatineau to supply gas and food to truckers blockading Ottawa, has 24 hours to leave the places, has just ruled the Superior Court of Quebec.
Posted at 5:25 p.m.
The leader of the group of demonstrators, Steeve Charland, who calls himself “Artiss”, promised before judge Carole Therrien that he would comply with the order. “I will do everything in my power to make it happen in order,” he said, once the judgment was rendered.
The magistrate, who praised the “productive” collaboration of Mr. Charland during the debate in court, considers that the presence of the Farfadaas on the parking lot of the Windmill-Dream company, in Gatineau, is a “taking possession of the property of ‘others without permission’.
” Some [résidents du secteur] complained of intimidating behavior by the occupants,” the judge pointed out, based on emails provided by the parking owners’ lawyer.
“It is clear that there are no signs that the occupation can be ended other than by a court order. The evidence also shows that a worsening of the situation is possible, even hoped for by the occupants, while Mr. Charland confirms that convoys from all over Quebec are expected, “said the judge.
Forcing the Farfadaas to leave is also not a “prejudice to the free expression of political opinions”, considers the Court. “No link between the democratic right of the occupants and a ban on camping in the perimeter has been established,” said the judge. “The issues in question are not related to the exercise of fundamental rights. Here, it is a question of the free enjoyment of private property. »
The Farfadaas had originally rented a private parking lot from the group for $1,000 a day at the start of the truckers’ protest. Following a verbal agreement with the site manager, the site was to allow demonstrators to park there to demonstrate on January 29 and 30.
But when the trucks crashed in front of Parliament, the Farfadaas did the same. “We asked them several times, but they refused to leave,” pleaded the lawyer for Windmill-Dream, Mr.and Emmanuel Lauren. Activists have set up tents and barrels where they make open fires. Lawyers for the company say neighbors complained.
“The plaintiff suffers serious and irreparable harm. It is deprived of its right to operate its parking lot. His reputation is at stake, ”pleaded Mand Laurin, asking that an urgent injunction be issued.
Despite a notice of violation issued by the City of Gatineau, which prohibited the Farfadaas from making open fires following a visit by firefighters, they maintained the camp. Again Wednesday, the militants of the group made a human chain to store firewood on the camp.
“Everything that was requested by the fire safety service was respected to the letter,” defended leader Steeve Charland, speaking on behalf of the “movement”.
“I don’t understand the urgency that requires a rapid evacuation,” added the leader. We have reason to believe that it is more a question of political opinion or political pressure,” he said.
Under the order, the Farfadaas have until 4 p.m. Friday to leave with their vehicles and personal belongings. The Court also orders them to “refrain from intimidating, harassing, threatening, hindering or insulting in any form whatsoever” the company that owns the parking lot, its employees, its customers and passers-by on the lot. »