The church’s history of event-hosting could continue and extend outdoors, with a stage and barriers to block sound so as not to disturb the surrounding community. They’ve envisioned a community café and patio, a co-working space and social enterprise, welcoming to those regardless of economic means. Patrick and Cumberland streets, describing the potential the United People of Canada see. Komer gave this newspaper a tour of the church, located at St. That’s your perspective, right? But, you know, the day we don’t let people speak is the day we kill free speech, I think,” he said. Whether you agree with them or not is totally up to you. I believe people have a right to be heard. And there’s a lot of people who feel they aren’t being allowed this, he said. The motivation behind the project, according to Komer, was ensuring people have a space where they can be heard. ![]() “Lowertown residents were directly impacted by the convoy, and those wounds are recent and they’re deep.”Īt a sparsely attended Sunday barbecue, billed as a way to introduce their “embassy” to the community, United People of Canada board of directors member William Komer stated repeatedly in speaking to this newspaper that they’re not affiliated with the “Freedom Convoy”. What’s resulted is “a lot of community angst, a lot of community questions,” said area councillor Mathieu Fleury. Brigid’s property has been sold conditionally. Get in touch to find out more,” their website encourages.Ī popular Reddit post gave one person’s take: “A group with close ties to the Freedom Convoy has acquired a large church in Ottawa to serve as a base of operations, and no one seems to have noticed.”Ĭurrently listed for sale for $5.95 million, real estate records show the St. “We’re building strong communities and solidifying a prosperous future. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.National Capital Region's Top Employers. ![]() Brigid’s Church, just to revitalize and repurpose it, the group said. There are no plans to make major changes to the former St. We're good people with great intentions, only wanting to help mankind," added Cuzzocrea. "We are no way connected with them at all. Brigid's church, that's completely false," said Komer. ![]() "Someone is going around alleging that 3.2 million of 'Freedom Convoy' funds went to purchasing St. One of the group's directors has admitted to being an adviser to Dwayne Lich, the partner of "Freedom Convoy" organizer Tamara Lich, but the group denies connections to the occupation. You know I can say peace and love, peace and love, but what really are you doing?" said Sylvie Bigras, President of the Lowertown Community Association. "You look at their website and it's just platitudes. The TUPOC group has come under fire from some members of the community over support for the "Freedom Convoy." "The whole thing is to create a lot of love from our good example, hoping that these people will pass it along to their little world and eventually we hope to have locations around the world," said Tony Cuzzocrea, the President of Planmar Financial Corp.Ĭuzzocrea wouldn’t specify how much money he has contributed, but admitted he is the project’s largest financial backer. Their largest financial backer is a London, Ont. The organization says it is in the process of buying the property, which is listed for nearly $6 million. "Just looking to create a unique and inclusive space where people of all different backgrounds and beliefs are welcome to participate in dialogue, participate in co-working, access a community cafe, venue space and we're hosting a number of community conversations," said William Komer, Director of TUPOC. ![]() Patrick Street and Cumberland Street, their "Embassy." The United People of Canada (TUPOC) are calling the new property, located at the corner of St. Brigid's church property up for sale in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood have been unveiled, and the group behind the project denies ties to the "Freedom Convoy", instead saying it’s all about peace and love.
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