OTTAWA (Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022) — The Ottawa People’s Commission on the Convoy Occupation is announcing six new dates for public hearings to gather further testimony from Ottawa residents about the impacts of the January-February trucker blockade in the city’s downtown core.
The new slate of hearings follows news that the OPC has received a substantial new donation to help fund its grassroots inquiry into the severe and lingering impacts of the convoy occupation.
To date, the Commission has held four hearings — including two in-person and two online sessions — during which more than 20 witnesses have described their experiences of last winter’s convoy occupation. One of those sessions focused on hearing from persons living with disabilities about how the disruptions caused by the three-week shutdown of central Ottawa affected their lives. Another hearing gave convoy supporters a chance to express their views.
The next six hearings are scheduled to take place as follows:
- Thursday, Oct. 20, 2-4 p.m. (online)
- Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-9:15 p.m. (online)
- Saturday, Nov. 5, 1-3:15 p.m. (Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane at Elgin Street)
- Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7-9:15 p.m. (online)
- Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7-9:15 p.m. (online)
- Thursday, Nov. 24, 2-4 p.m. (online)
Residents who wish to appear before the Commission at public hearings are asked to register through the OPC website, opc-cpo.ca. Dozens of written submissions have been received to date and community members are encouraged to join in sharing their own written accounts of their experiences during the occupation. As well, the Commission welcomes proposals for redress and remedial action.
The OPC is also pleased to announce funding from Maytree. This funding supports the Commission’s operations, in keeping with Maytree’s mission to foster a Canadian network of “Human Rights Cities” — urban communities where democratic decision-making is guided by principles of social and economic rights.
The Maytree gift adds to a growing base of support for commission activities that includes a founding $25,000 donation from the Ken and Debbie Rubin Public Interest Advocacy Fund and a generous gift from the MakeWay Foundation.
The Commission is funded by donations from the public, foundations, businesses, unions, and local agencies committed to rebuilding and renewing our community. Donations can be made at opc-cpo.ca.
For more information visit opc-cpo.ca or contact:
Gaëlle Muderi, OPC project coordinator
343-451-6352
