Eva Chipiuk
Eva Chipiuk spoke 32 times across 2 days of testimony.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Good afternoon. Eva Chipuik for the Convoy Protestors, and we have no questions for this witness.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Bonjour, Mr. Prime Minister. My name is Eva Chipiuk. I'm one of the lawyers representing Freedom Corp. and the protesters who were here in Ottawa in January and February of 2022. I want to first talk to you about the events that led up to the invocation of the Emergencies Act. You would agree with me that the Emergencies Act was invoked on Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14th; correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And you are aware that this Commission has received evidence from the police and other witnesses that on Monday, February 14th, the Ambassador Bridge was reopened as was Coutts, all the borders were reopened; correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Okay. Well, we'll review the record for that. On the Sunday night, February 13th, there was an IRG meeting, and you were there, and in fact, you were the Chair of that meeting; is that correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And at the IRG meeting, you were advised that there were breakthrough -- there was a breakthrough agreement between the Mayor of Ottawa and the convoy organizers to move trucks out of the downtown residential areas; isn't that correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Okay. Well, I can advise you that at the inquiry it was confirmed by the documents your officials filed here, and by witnesses; namely Jody Thomas, she confirmed that at that IRG meeting you were briefed that there was an agreement with the Mayor. Does that ---
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
--- do you recall that?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And ---
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Some of the convoy organizers.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Well, Tamara Lich, who’s present here in this room, signed a letter. It was made publicly available on the news on Sunday, February 13th, and you were advised of that agreement at the IRG meeting.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And you learned that on Twitter; is that correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
By whom?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Thanks. And now you should be aware that this Commission has also received evidence from City officials and others, that the next day on Monday the 14th, over 100 protest vehicles had moved out of the downtown residential areas under the Mayor’s agreement, prior to your 4:30 p.m. announcement invoking the Emergencies Act, is that right?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
They have. And you are aware of the evidence before this Commission from police officials and others who testified, that the efforts by the truckers to further vacate the downtown residential areas under the Mayor’s deal were blocked by the police on both Tuesday and Wednesday, February 15th and 16th; are you aware of that?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Okay. Would you agree with me that it would have been a far better outcome if you and your colleagues would’ve allowed the de-escalation agreement with the Mayor to be completed, and there would have been no need to invoke the extraordinary powers of the Emergencies Act, including the significant and violent police actions, and freezing Canadians’ bank accounts?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
I could provide some clarity.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
It’s very well known in the agreement with the Mayor, that it was to remove vehicles from the downtown residential areas, and yes, Mr. Gover, thank you, to move to Wellington. But out of residential areas, apart from Wellington, so thank you. Can you now -- are you able to answer the question?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Sure. If you had allowed the de-escalation agreement; in other words, moving trucks outside, and other protest vehicles outside of the downtown area, there would be no need to invoke the Emergency Act.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Thank you. Your officials have testified that they are -- that they were following the convoy as it began moving from regions of Canada towards Ottawa. And you are aware that thousands of Canadians lined the highways and overpasses to cheer the truckers. Is that right?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Thank you.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to read to you an excerpt from three of the many statements that Canadians prepared for this Commission, Canadians who supported the convoy and explained why. And I would like -- I would ask the Registrar to bring up document ID HRF00001660. If you could turn to page 274, please? And while that comes up I’ll just start reading the statement; 274. Elizabeth Clappik (phonetic) provided a statement about how the government’s COVID mandates and lockdowns disrupt -- disrupted her life. Starting at paragraph 3, she said: “The truckers and the Canadians who lined the roads, overpasses, and highways restored the hope that I had almost lost. These patriotic Canadians told me that I am not alone; that I matter. I will never forget the hope and pride I felt watching these amazing truckers driving along Canadian highways, crowded with patriotic flag -- of Canadians flying patriotic -- Canadians flying their flags and holding their signs of support. I will never forget the tears I shed as I regained that almost lost hope; that love for my home and native land, that love for my fellow Canadians.” (As read) At page 235, Ottawa resident Karen Hannah (phonetic), who obtained a Sociology degree from Ottawa University, starting at paragraphs 5, stated: “For months the leader of our country publicly shamed people like me and my husband. Our own family members turned on us, blamed us, and it -- some even told us we don’t deserve healthcare.” (As read) Paragraph 17: “One of my most emotional moments was dancing on Rideau Street beside a local man. He had tears streaming down his face. All he wanted was a hug. It was very overpowering for him. I met a girl, 22 years old, who just hopped in her car from Winnipeg and just kept driving; she stayed the entire time. I met people who were like family to me, people who gave up everything to come to Ottawa for justice and an explanation.” (As read) At page 116. Here’s one of many, many concerned parents and spouses. Sam Crozier (phonetic) at paragraph 8 says: “I am not asking for help; I am begging you to please listen. Hear my heart, feel my pain, and help work towards the true North strong and free that we were promised. My husband, an army veteran who now has PTSD, and not from anything he has seen or done in the Forces but from what our own government has done. Our government has destroyed my life. I, a once optimistic, full-of-life person, find myself struggling to stay above water now. I struggle to find joy in anything, and daily fear a new announcement being made that will further punish us. I have written the same email to every Member of Parliament daily, and been ignored by a large collection of the people meant to be our leaders, meant to be listening to us.” (As read) Mr. Prime Minister, you have now heard the statements from some of the many concerned Canadians who felt compelled to support the protesters. Do you now understand the reason so many Canadians came to Ottawa with such resolve in the midst of a harsh, cold Canadian winter because of the harms caused by your government COVID mandates and they wanted to be heard?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And I don't mean ---
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
--- to cut you off.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
--- but I only have 10 minutes. So thank you, that was helpful. Mr. ---
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Okay, thank you. A number of people have testified in this Inquiry referencing your widely-published comments and calling the unvaccinated racists and misogynists. And we have heard testimony in this Inquiry about how some of your officials wanted to label protesters as terrorists. Would you agree with me that one of the most important roles of a Prime Minister is to unite Canadians and not divide them by engaging in name-calling?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Okay. Well ---
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Right. So in terms of safety, when you met with -- I'll reframe. Minister Blair; Public Safety Minister, Minister Mendicino; National Security Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas; and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki; and today, you, testified that the Federal Government was committed to exhausting all alternatives to a resolution prior to making a decision to invoke the extraordinary powers of the Emergencies Act. Do you agree that that accurately describes your Government's position?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Thank you.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
And you are aware that the OPP, along with others, developed an engagement proposal, and you were advised of that proposal at the IRG meeting on February 12th; correct?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
My last question, Mr. Prime Minister. When did you and your Government start to become so afraid of your own citizens?
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Those are my questions.
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Eva Chipiuk, Counsel (Freedom Corp / Convoy Organizers)
Good afternoon. For the record, my name is Eva Chipiuk. I am one of the lawyers representing Freedom Corp. and the protesters who were here in Ottawa in January and February 2022. Mr. Commissioner, friends, Canadians listening to this Public Inquiry into the Government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time in history, you will remember on the first day of this Public Inquiry, our lead counsel, Brendan Miller, in his Opening Statement, spoke about the evidence and threshold required for invoking the Emergencies Act. Mr. Miller set out each element of the test for invoking the Emergencies Act, and then predicted that there would be no evidence to support any of the factors required to invoke the Act. I would like to restate Mr. Miller's Opening Statement, and add to it what evidence in fact came out. "...it is our view that there was no justification whatsoever to invoke the Emergencies Act. The Emergencies Act requires several things: One, it could be invoked due to espionage and sabotage." Did you hear any evidence about espionage and sabotage? The answer is no: "Two, it could be invoked on the basis of clandestine or deceptive foreign influence, or foreign influence that involves the threat to a person." Did you hear evidence about that? The answer is no: "It also could be invoked on the basis of threats or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property." Did you hear evidence of violence against persons or property? The answer is no: "Lastly, it can also be invoked if there is a group or persons trying to destroy or overthrow by violence the system of Government of Canada." Did you hear evidence about individuals trying to do that? The answer is no: And the answer is there was no reasonable and probable grounds to invoke the Emergencies Act and the Government exceeded their jurisdiction, both constitutionally and legislatively, in doing so. In using the Emergencies Act, which gifts the Government with extraordinary powers, the Government of Canada chose use of force, that is, state violence over peaceful negotiations and democratic engagement with the Canadian people. The sad irony is that the protest in Ottawa was fundamentally about government overreach. Canadians felt that the current Government had gone too far with the COVID-19 mandates. The Government's response to the protests by invoking the Emergencies Act was a further reach in power over people instead of power by the people. In response to the unprecedented unison of voices of many Canadians, including a voice by way of millions in donations to the cause, the Government of Canada refused to engage and listen to the people. Instead, by invoking the Emergencies Act the Government stepped even further into their oppressive governance by quashing the most fundamental right that belongs to a Canadian democracy, that is, to come together in their Nation's Capital, in front of Parliament to engage in dialogue with their elected officials. Protesting is in fact the people trying to have a dialogue with their government as a last resort of engagement when all other avenues for discourse have failed or have been censored. A healthy democracy demands continuous engagement between people and government, and when the government uses violence to assert its power over the people the fabric of democracy is torn. That is what was witnessed at the protest. We heard from witness and protester, Maggie Braun, who knelt before the Public Order Units, placed a copy of the Canadian Bill of Rights, the first human rights law in Canada, onto the snow in front of her before being brutally snatched and shoved behind the police lines, thrown to the frozen ground, beaten, and had a rifle pointed to her head. We heard from witness and veteran Chris Deering, survivor of a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. He fought for our country because he believed that our Canadian values were worth fighting for. He said he came to Ottawa because it was his duty to support the protesters in their cry to the Canadian Government that enough is enough. They've gone too far with interfering with our right and freedom, our right to live in a safe country free from fear. In response to our dear veteran's bravery, moral courage, and sacrifice for this country he was brutally beaten by the police and treated with less human dignity than a prisoner of war. The fact is it does not matter which side of the protest you are on. To be Canadian is to value human dignity, kindness, community, compassion, and love. It is not normal to hate and divide. This Public Inquiry is more than just looking into the circumstances that led to the Government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, it is the beginning of a journey of rediscovering of what it means to be Canadian. The Government does not define us, we do. We, the collective of many diverse groups across the country. The protest in Ottawa brought so many Canadians from all different walks of life together. It was an opportunity for reconciliation, for uniting, and forging friendships despite so many differences. The protest in Ottawa gave people hope and it humbled all of us. What we saw in Ottawa is emblematic of what it means to be Canadian, and that is what terrifies the current Government of Canada. Yes, there was honking, and diesel, and noise, and that was not only challenging for residents in Ottawa, but also for protesters, but the protesters were not extremists or terrorists, they are fellow Canadians, neighbours, and each person is the thread that holds us together in a peaceful and loving society. We have all suffered in our own unique way because of the pandemic, the virus, the sickness, the lockdowns, the job losses, loss of livelihood, the mandates, and mental health. On the first day of this Public Order Emergency Inquiry, Commissioner Rouleau, you said uncovering the truth is an important role. When difficult events occur that impact the lives of Canadians the public has the right to know what happened. So, l’objectif de l’enquête publique est de faire la lumière sur les faits ou la situation, de faire les recommandations pour que la situation ne se reproduise plus. Let this Inquiry be the starting point for all Canadians, and that means all Canadians, including Government leaders, to hold the Executive Branch of Canada to account. If there ever was a time for a Prime Minister to step down, now is that time. Thank you.