Evidence of meeting #36 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was toronto.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
No, I'm doing a bachelor's degree with a double major in political science and law.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
And how did you get to Toronto on the last days of June of this year?
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
If you're referring to transportation, we met in front of Concordia University in Montreal and we left in school buses, yellow buses.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
And those buses were provided by an organization called the Anti-Capitalist Convergence. Is that correct?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Are you members of the Anti-Capitalist Convergence?
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
We are not. I'll explain it to you. There were posters at the university stating that that community group was organizing transportation for anyone who wanted to demonstrate. It was not necessary to be a member of the organization in order to go. I wasn't at all familiar with the organization. It was mass transportation so that it would be less expensive.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Were you unaware that the Anti-Capitalist Convergence had on its website a call to attack the G-20? You weren't aware of that.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
How many individuals rode on these buses with you from Montreal to Toronto, which I understand must be at least a five- or six-hour journey?
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
I'm not aware of that; there were a number of school buses. I couldn't say how many individuals there were in total.
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
If I'm not mistaken, there were three school buses. However, I couldn't say the number of individuals.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Did none of the individuals who were on this journey discuss the tactics that were going to be employed once you got to Toronto?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Why did you go? What was your goal? What was the endgame here?
4:40 p.m.
As an Individual
I went to demonstrate peacefully because I wanted to attend a first international summit. I'm studying international relations. It's important for me to understand how it works in the field. I'm also opposed to some of the government's positions. I believe that, in our country, we have a right to express our opposition to certain government policies. That was my intention, and that's what I did peacefully.