Ontario MPP Randy Hillier was released on bail on Monday after being accused of taking part in protests that led to a stalemate in downtown Ottawa this winter. Mr Hillier, who represents Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston as an independent in the Ontario legislature, has been released on $ 35,000 bail. The terms of his release include Mr Hillier not communicating directly or indirectly with the protest organizers. that it does not post on social media about escorts, vaccine orders or a mask for COVID-19 or the cause against the vaccine; and that it does not provide any support to escorts, vaccine organizations or causes. Mr Hillier told the court on Monday that he understood the conditions and would abide by them. He will appear in court again on May 14. Peace Judge Louise Logue said the situation surrounding Mr Hillier’s social media activity did not in any way limit him from serving as MPP if he was working on mask-related policies and vaccinations. Earlier Monday, Mr. Hillier told reporters at Ottawa Police Headquarters that he was informed by police on Sunday that charges had been filed against him in connection with what police described as “possession” of the Ottawa core. “Different and dissenting views are now obviously criminal, so this is a worrying trend,” he said. Ottawa police issued a press release Monday saying the 64-year-old MPP from Perth, OD, was facing a total of nine charges after police received in February “multiple complaints about social media posts and other activities of one person as part of ongoing illegal demonstrations “. The police said that the information gathered from a special group investigating incidents reported during the demonstration. Mr Hillier’s charges include two counts of obstructing or resisting a public official, one count of assaulting a peace official or a public official, and three counts of advising a non-commissioned officer, two of which are considered vicious. None of the charges have been proven in court. The MPP said Monday that it had “thousands of interactions” with people and had no idea what led to the accusation of attacking a peaceful or civil servant. Mr. Hillier, who has spoken openly about the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, has backed an escort of truckers who have closed in downtown Ottawa. Three weeks later, the protests ended after police intervened to disperse the crowd. Mr Hillier was first elected in 2007, but was ousted from the Progressive Conservative Community in 2019. Reported by The Canadian Press For subscribers only: Receive exclusive political news and analysis by subscribing to Political information.
